“I am here at the invitation of Mr. Randolph Hay,” said Mr. Campbell.
“My daughter is quite well, thank you, Mr. Leegh,” said Mrs. Campbell.
Both the husband and the wife answering his careless greeting simultaneously.
“I am glad to hear of Miss Jennie’s good health. She is only tired, then, perhaps, or sleepy? Did you say you were here at the invitation of the squire, Mr. Campbell?”
“Yes, sir; of Mr. Randolph Hay,” calmly replied the rector.
“Then he must have been even drun—I mean, more incomprehensible than he is now. Pray, did he also invite all these other people I see here?”
“I think not. He did not invite you, or your sister, or Capt. Montgomery,” replied Mr. Campbell.
“Didn’t invite me or my sister! Why, my sister is his wife, man, and I am his brother-in-law! And he brought us down with him to-night.”
“I think not,” said the rector.
“You think not! Why, here we are, anyway. Here am I. There is my sister in that armchair, somewhat prostrated and disgusted, to be sure. And there is her husband on that high-back throne, somewhat ‘disguised,’ as one might say.”