Read "The Strange Boarders of Palace Crescent" by E. Phillips Oppenheim online for free on Textopian. Full text with search, annotations, highlights, and AI-powered reading aids.
Every one was suitably impressed by Freda Medlincott's guest that evening and she enjoyed her little triumph to the utmost. He seemed even better looking in his well-cut dinner clothes than in his tweeds, and most of the boarders who could catch Freda's eye came up to be introduced. He was agreeable to everybody but to the Misses Clewes he was charming. He knew the name so well. His father had had a friend in the Royal Surreys. Their uncle! Most interesting. He remained chatting with them until Freda fetched him away. She presented him to Mrs. Dewar, who looked at him with her solemn dark eyes unlit by curiosity or any other form of interest. She said the few correct words that were necessary, however, then left him to his hostess.
"Rather a spectral-looking lady," he whispered in her ear. "Does she ever smile?"