StoryFen

When Armstrong enters the drawing-room, half an hour later, there is small evidence of any volcanic element in the cheerful family group that meets his glance. Pauline is lying in an easy-chair reading a novel, Addie and Lottie are engaged with _bésique_, the Widow Malone purring on the latter's lap. "How late you are!" is Pauline's languid greeting. "We waited dinner fifteen minutes." "I was detained at the office," he answers, throwing himself into a chair which commands a good view of the players, full face, thr…