I didn't look at him. Maulevrier is looking so well.
They will be here in a minute. May I order dinner for them?'
'Of course, they must have dinner,' said her ladyship, resignedly, as if
the whole thing were an infliction; and Mary ran out and interviewed the
butler, begging that all things might be made particularly comfortable
for the travellers. It was nine o'clock, and the servants were enjoying
their eventide repose.
Having given her orders, Mary went back to the drawing-room, impatiently
expectant of her brother's arrival, for which event Lesbia and her
grandmother waited with perfect tranquillity, the dowager calmly
continuing the perusal of her _Times_, while Lesbia sat at her piano in
a shadowy corner, and played one of Mendelssohn's softest Lieder. To
these dreamy strains Maulevrier and his friend presently entered.
'How d'ye do, grandmother? how do, Lesbia? This is my very good friend
and Canadian travelling companion, Jack Hammond--Lady Maulevrier, Lady
Lesbia.'
'Very glad to see you, Mr. Hammond,' said the dowager, in a tone so
purely conventional that it might mean anything.
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