Mrs. Seton-Carr had confidence in herself. Perhaps it was as well; few things are won without that.
"All right. We shall be there about five o'clock."
"So shall I."
"Right.... There are the Chantrelles coming up the road; I'll clear out the back way. If they are going, I'd rather be spared saying farewells. I might introduce some choice expressions of my opinion of them."
"Leave that to me!"
Mabel spoke with bitter sweetness. One glance at her face convinced Dick that he could do so with safety.
"Right!"
He disappeared through the back as the Chantrelles entered by the front door. Mrs. Seton-Carr was waiting for them. She smiled pleasantly, iced pleasantry, and invited them into the drawing-room. Seated, she faced them. There, wasted no time in preliminaries; struck out:
"There is something I want to clear up, Mr. Chantrelle."
She fixed that gentleman with her eyes. On her face was a pleasant smile; it never faded once during the interview.