‘Only one lady, and she seems to have fainted. She looked very white when I opened the door. What is to be done, madam?’
Miss Laury answered directly: ‘Bring her into the house. Let the horses be taken to the stables. And the servants: how many are there?’
‘Three, madam: two postillions and a footman.’
‘Do you know the liveries?’
‘Can’t say, madam. Postillions in grey and white, footman in plain clothes. Horses frightened at a drove of Sydenham oxen, they say: very spirited nags.’
‘Well, you have my orders: bring the lady in directly, and make the others comfortable.’
‘Yes, madam.’
The groom touched his hat and departed. Miss Laury shut her window. It was very cold. Not many minutes elapsed before the lady in the arms of her own servants was slowly brought up the lawn and ushered into the drawing-room.
‘Lay her on the sofa,’ said Miss Laury.
She was obeyed. The lady’s travelling-cloak was carefully removed and a thin figure became apparent in a dark silk dress. The cushions of down scarcely sank under the pressure, it was so slight.