So Joanna was steeled against them both. She knew not how often her mother, out of tender consideration for her, did violence to herself – keeping difficult silences, restraining sorrowful exclamations, suppressing unkind criticisms of her daughter’s new friends. Nor did she know the depth of her mother’s loneliness, which by a moment of lavish affection either she or Linnet could better have assuaged than Miss Gedge by many hours of spiritual conversation.

II

So far as Juley and Miss Gedge were concerned, Joanna had three friends – Mrs. Lovatt, Carl Nilsson, and Phemie Pringle; but each of these represented a growing host of undesirable acquaintances.

Mildred Lovatt, upon Joanna’s return to Glasgow, had hastened to pay a call of mingled condolence and curiosity. It was known what part she had played in Miss Bannerman’s romantic marriage; and the moment she had reconnoitred at Collessie Street, she was generously determined to welcome Joanna (but Joanna alone) to her special circle.

That it was a special circle every one admitted. Indeed if Mildred did not speak of it as a salon, that was only because there were undoubtedly people in Glasgow who might not take such a word seriously. As a salon she certainly thought of it; and even the scornful uninvited never denied that it included, in a fitful way, ten times the number of celebrities the lady could have achieved with thrice her income in London. Not only was she able to tap the University and the School of Art, which between them should represent the intellect of any city, but her drawing room in Panmure Crescent had become a known resort for such distinguished visitors as came from London to lecture, act, paint, or make music on the banks of the Clyde.

And Joanna was young enough to find it thrilling that she should meet famous people in the intimacy of a friend’s drawing-room. What matter if she rarely saw them oftener than once, and then did not get farther than a few remarks about the weather? But she learned quickly to keep from mentioning her notabilities at home, except privately to Linnet. One evening, at the tea-table, having overflowed in eager chatter about some well-known actor, her words had died under Juley’s sad and steadfast gaze. And the lips of Eva Gedge, who happened to be there, had suddenly gone rigid.

III

Miss Gedge herself, however, was less unsparing in her criticism of Mrs. Lovatt, than was Joanna’s second friend, Carl Nilsson.