Page 114 - the-portrait-of-a-lady

Chapter 10

The day after her visit to Lockleigh she received a note
from her friend Miss Stackpole—a note of which the enve-
lope, exhibiting in conjunction the postmark of Liverpool
and the neat calligraphy of the quick-fingered Henriet-
ta, caused her some liveliness of emotion. ‘Here I am, my
lovely friend,’ Miss Stackpole wrote; ‘I managed to get off
at last. I decided only the night before I left New York—the
Interviewer having come round to my figure. I put a few
things into a bag, like a veteran journalist, and came down
to the steamer in a street-car. Where are you and where can
we meet? I suppose you’re visiting at some castle or other
and have already acquired the correct accent. Perhaps even
you have married a lord; I almost hope you have, for I want
some introductions to the first people and shall count on
you for a few. The Interviewer wants some light on the no-
bility. My first impressions (of the people at large) are not
rose-coloured; but I wish to talk them over with you, and
you know that, whatever I am, at least I’m not superficial.
I’ve also something very particular to tell you. Do appoint
a meeting as quickly as you can; come to London (I should
like so much to visit the sights with you) or else let me come
to you, wherever you are. I will do so with pleasure; for you
know everything interests me and I wish to see as much as
possible of the inner life.’

114 The Portrait of a Lady