- lowed by Mrs. Baldwin. The two going out together,
Mrs. Baldwin had said diffidently to Constance:
"Miss Maitland—I—I think you are right in all you have said to-day. I hope you'll come to see me soon. I don't seem to be afraid of you—you're genuine. You're never pretending to anything. Good-bye."
Mrs. Baldwin had not the gift of tongues, but, as Constance said, a compliment from Mrs. Baldwin was of value, no matter how awkwardly it was expressed.
A few afternoons later, Constance drove out to the Cranes' suburban villa, but Mrs. Crane was not at home. Constance was disappointed—her curiosity to see Crane's wife was unabated. Ten days afterward, on a warm afternoon, Constance sat in her cool drawing-room, fresh in its summer dress of linen covers, bead portières, and shaded by awnings, waiting for her carriage. Mrs. Crane was announced. The first impression which Constance got of Annette Crane was that she was exquisitely dressed. Her gown was a delicate, pale-blue muslin, her hat, a white straw, trimmed with white ribbons.
