Jake rolled his eyes, but he took her by the arm. “Come upstairs where no one can hear and I’ll explain.” They headed up the stairs to the room that had been Elizabeth’s when she lived here before her marriage.

Anna stared after them wistfully.

“She’ll tell you all about it later,” Gideon said.

“I hope so. Well, let’s go inside. There’s someone I want you to meet.”

They made slow progress through the crowded parlor. Cybil and Zelda had furnished the room for entertaining many guests, and every seat was filled. Several lively conversations were going on, but they stopped in turn as the participants greeted Anna and Gideon. At last they reached the far side of the room where a young woman was sitting on a love seat next to the infamous Miss Adams, who was regaling her on the hidden meanings in Walt Whitman’s poetry. Miss Adams was oblivious to their arrival, but the girl looked up politely.

What Gideon saw next startled him. The girl’s expression changed from polite interest to absolute rapture in a matter of seconds as she gazed up at Anna. When he glanced at Anna, he saw the same expression on her face.

Good heavens, Anna was in love.

The girl was on her feet in another instant. “I’m so glad you came, Anna.”

“I told you, I always come,” Anna said gently, then remembering her manners, she added, “Miss Adams, of course you know Mr. Bates, and, Miss Quincy, this is Gideon Bates, one of my oldest friends. Gideon, Miss Quincy is also a student at Hunter.”

As were most of the young women in attendance. Gideon knew they came to the salons because they admired their professors, Cybil and Zelda, and were honored to socialize with their literary friends. They also seemed to enjoy the discussions that went on at the salons, although perhaps not as much as the older attendees.

“It’s a pleasure, Miss Quincy,” Gideon said, taking the hand she offered. He always thought smart women were attractive, and Miss Quincy’s eyes fairly glowed with intelligence. He found himself smiling in delight. “Are you a native New Yorker?”

She was from nearby Connecticut, and Gideon learned she was in her second year at Hunter, studying social work. She already knew all about Gideon and Elizabeth, it seemed, so he didn’t have to answer many questions in return as they got to know each other the way strangers do in social situations. This was special, however, because Anna was obviously smitten with this girl, and Miss Quincy seemed smitten in return. Elizabeth would be thrilled.

“Is this your first visit to the salon?” he asked at last.

“Yes, I . . . Well, I’m a bit shy, you see, but Anna . . . Miss Vanderslice, I mean, insisted that I would enjoy myself.”

“And I’ve been keeping her entertained until you arrived,” Miss Adams said, reminding them of her presence.