Steps were heard outside, and Lord Braemuir entered, sending his jolly voice before him. “Are you ready, Quin, my boy, and you, my dear? Yes, dinner went off splendidly, St. Quentin, and your farmers quite appreciated it, I assure you. Where is the presentation to take place? Oh, the great hall, is it? Here, shall I wheel your couch in?”
“Thanks, ring for Dickson, please,” said St. Quentin. “Will you go and bring the tenants to the hall, Braemuir, and then come back here and take in Aunt Rica. Sydney, walk beside my couch, please—don’t be frightened—nobody shall eat you!”
“I am not afraid,” said Sydney, drawing herself up, and they went into the great hall together, she walking by his side.
Lady Frederica followed, on the arm of Lord Braemuir, and Mr. Fenton, who had come down for this great occasion, gave his to Miss Osric.
All eyes were turned upon the girl as she walked slowly up the hall, her colour coming and going, but showing otherwise no sign of nervousness. They came to the great fireplace and there stopped. St. Quentin raised his head a little, and spoke, his hand on Sydney’s.
“Well, gentlemen, I’m very glad to see so many of you here to-night. You all know, I think, why I asked for the pleasure of your company when I am incapable of entertaining you myself. It is to present to you my cousin and heir, Miss Lisle.”
Several people cheered at this point, and Mr. Fenton rubbed his hands together with a little smile. He detected the undercurrent of pride in St. Quentin’s voice at having such an heir to present. And he remembered well enough the tone in which the marquess had said, only five weeks ago, “We must have the girl here, I suppose!”
“A good many of you here to-night will remember her father, Lord Francis,” St. Quentin went on.
“Yes, my lord,” was heard on many sides.
“Well, Fate and my motor-car between them, have put the title into Miss Lisle’s hands,” pursued the marquess. “I shouldn’t altogether wonder if she makes a better hand of the landlord business than I’ve done, when her time comes to govern for herself. Gentlemen, I have much pleasure in presenting you my heir.”