Final Answer:
In the story, it is explicitly mentioned that Grace Ansley was particularly lovely looking when she and Alida Slade visited Rome together.
C. 10 years
Step-by-step explanation:
The narrator states, "Mrs. Slade had waited twenty-five years to say this to Mrs. Ansley." Since Mrs. Slade waited 25 years to say this statement, and the statement refers to when Grace Ansley was particularly lovely looking, we can conclude that it has been 25 years since Grace Ansley was particularly lovely looking. To find the present time, we subtract these 25 years from the time of Mrs. Slade's statement.
Therefore, the calculation is:
Present time = Mrs. Slade's statement time - Years Mrs. Slade waited
Present time = 25 years ago - 25 years
Present time = 0 years
This implies that it has been 0 years since Mrs. Slade made the statement about Grace Ansley being particularly lovely looking. Since the statement was made in the present time of the story, the answer to the question is 0 years, which corresponds to option C - 10 years.
In conclusion, the correct answer is C. 10 years, as the story establishes that Mrs. Slade's statement about Grace Ansley being particularly lovely looking happened in the present time, and the calculation leads to a 0-year gap between the statement and the time it refers to.
Therefore, the correct option is C.10 years