The withdrawing room was more than pleasant; it was both gracious and comfortable, a combination unfortunately rare. A large fire burned in the grate, giving a feeling of warmth and life. The room was cluttered with far less than the usual forest
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of family portraits; it was even devoid of the customary stuffed animals and dried flowers under glass.
Callantha Swynford was also a surprise, at least to Charlotte. She had expected someone portly and self-satisfied, perhaps inordinately pleased with her own good sense. Instead, Callantha was on the lean side, with white skin and freckles, which in her youth she had doubtless spent hours endeavoring to remove, or at least to mask. Now she ignored them, and they complemented her russet-colored hair in a surprisingly attractive way. She was not beautiful; her nose was too high and long for that, and her mouth too large. But she was certainly handsome, and, more than that, she possessed individuality.
'How charming of you to call, Lady Cumming-Gould,' she said with a smile, extending her hand and inviting the ladies to sit down. 'And Lady Asnworth-' Charlotte had not presented a card, and she was at a loss. No one helped her.
'My cousin Angelica is indisposed.' Aunt Vespasia lied as easily as if she were reading the time. 'She was so sorry not to renew your acquaintance in person, and told me to say how much she enjoyed meeting you. She asked me if I would call upon you instead, so you would not feel she was cool in your friendship. Since I had my niece Lady Ashworth and her sister Charlotte already in my company, I felt you would not be inconvenienced if they were to call also.'
'Of course not.' Callantha gave the only possible answer. 'I am delighted to make their acquaintance. How very thoughtful of Angelica. I hope her indisposition is nothing serious?'
'I should imagine not.' Aunt Vespasia waved it away with her hand, very delicately, as though it were something vaguely indecent to discuss. 'One gets these little afflictions from time to time.'
Callantha understood immediately; it was something it would be kinder not to refer to again.
'Of course,' she agreed. They all knew the danger of her comparing notes with Angelica was now taken care of.
'What a delightful room.' Charlotte looked about her and was able to comment quite genuinely. 'I do admire your choice. I feel comfortable immediately.'
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'Oh, do you?' Callantha seemed quite surprised. 'I am delighted you think so. Many people find it too bare. I imagine they expect rather more in the way of family portraits and such.'
Charlotte seized her chance; it might not come again so felicitously.
'I always think a few pictures of quality that really catch the essence of a person are of far more value than a great number that are merely likenesses,' she replied. 'I cannot help observing the excellent portrait over the mantel. Is that your daughter? Great-Aunt Vespasia mentioned that you have a son and a daughter. She is quite charming, and she looks already as if she may grow to resemble you.'
Callantha smiled, glancing at the painting.
'Yes, indeed, that is Fanny. It was painted about a year ago, and she is quite unbecomingly proud of it. I must curb her. Vanity is not a quality one dare encourage. And to be frank, she is not in the least a beauty. Such charm as she has will lie within her personality.' She pulled a small face, a little rueful, perhaps echoing memories of her own youth.
'But that is far better!' Charlotte approved with conviction. 'Beauty fades, and often disastrously quickly, whereas with a little attention, character can improve indefinitely! I am sure I should like Fanny very much.'
Emily gave her a sour look, and Charlotte knew she felt she was being too obvious. But then Callantha had no idea why they had called.
'You'are very generous,' she murmured politely.
'Not at all,' Charlotte demurred. 'I often
