A quick pleasure shone in Mainwaring's cheek and eye; but Louise's
pretty lids did not drop, nor her faint, quiet bloom deepen. Breakfast
was already waiting when Mr. Richardson arrived alone.

He explained that Mr. Bradley had some important and unexpected business
which had delayed him, but which, he added, "Mr. Bradley says may
prove interesting enough to you to excuse his absence this morning."
Mainwaring was not displeased that his critical and observant host was
not present at their meeting. Louise Macy was, however, as demurely
conscious of the different bearing of the two compatriots. Richardson's
somewhat self-important patronage of the two ladies, and that
Californian familiarity he had acquired, changed to a certain uneasy
deference towards Mainwaring; while the younger Englishman's slightly
stiff and deliberate cordiality was, nevertheless, mingled with a
mysterious understanding that appeared innate and unconscious. Louise
was quick to see that these two men, more widely divergent in quality
than any two of her own countrymen, were yet more subtly connected
by some unknown sympathy than the most equal of Americans. Minty's
prophetic belief of the effect of the two women upon Richardson was
certainly true as regarded Mrs. Bradley. The banker--a large material
nature--was quickly fascinated by the demure, puritanic graces of that
lady, and was inclined to exhibit a somewhat broad and ostentatious
gallantry that annoyed Mainwaring. When they were seated alone on
the veranda, which the ladies had discreetly left to them, Richardson
said,--

"Odd I didn't hear of Bradley's wife before. She seems a spicy, pretty,
comfortable creature. Regularly thrown away with him up here."