Lowther she appreciated at his worth; her studied indifference to
him went a long way towards securing that youth's approval, which was
not unmingled with admiration for her person. Montague she was
beginning to like. For his part, he was quickly sensible of the
feminine distinction which Mavis's presence bestowed upon his home. The
fine figure she cut in evening dress at dinner parties, when the
Devitts feasted their world; her conversation in the drawing-room
afterwards; the emotion she put into her playing and singing (it was
the only expression Mavis could give to the abiding griefs gnawing at
her heart), were social assets of no small value, which Devitt was the
first to appreciate. Mrs Harold Devitt's appearance and parts gave to
his assemblies a piquancy which was sadly lacking when his friends
repaid his hospitality. Mavis, also, pointed out to Devitt the
advisability of rescuing from the lumber rooms several fine old pieces
of furniture which were hidden away in disgrace, largely because they
had belonged to Montague's humble grandfather. The handiwork of
Chippendale and Hepplewhite was furbished up and put about the house,
replacing Tottenham Court Road monstrosities. When the old furniture
epidemic presently seized upon Melkbridge, the Devitts could flatter
themselves that they had done much to influence local fashion in the
matter.

Montague came to take pleasure in Mavis's society, when he would drop
his blustering manner to become his kindly self. They had many long
talks together, which enabled Mavis to realise the loneliness of the
man's life. The more Montague saw of her the more he disliked his
son-in-law's share in the paternity of Mavis's dead child.

Now and again he would discuss business worries with her, which
established a community of interest between them. His friendship gave
Mavis confidence in her endeavours to placate the female Devitts. This
latter was uphill work: Mrs Devitt and her sister entrenched themselves
in a civil reserve which resisted Mavis's most strenuous assaults. With
Victoria, Mavis believed, at first, that she had better luck, Mrs
Charlie Perigal's sentiments and manner of expressing them being all
that the most exigent fancy might desire; but as time wore on, Mavis
got no further with her sister-in-law; she could never feel that she
and Victoria had a single heart beat in common.

As with so many others, Mavis began by liking but ended by being
repelled by Victoria's