CHAPTER XXIV
Lady Mulgrave and her guests were already seated, when two late arrivals joined them with hurried apologies.
“Good morning,” she said, tendering a dainty hand to Joseline, and offering her ear to be kissed.
But this ignorant Irish peasant failed to accept the hint, having no conception that she was being honoured with permission to salute her stepmother’s delicately powdered skin; and she stood for a moment, undecided and embarrassed.
“Well, there, my dear, go and sit down,” said her ladyship, indicating a place next to herself. “I hope you are rested?”
“Thank you, I’m finely to-day.”
“I suppose you have been round the house?”
“Yes. It’s wonderful; it’s grand. I never saw the likes of it.”
Lady Mulgrave smiled faintly, and said, with half malicious emphasis, “No, dear, I should imagine not!”