Mr. Force alighted and handed out his wife and two elder daughters, while Le performed the same service for Elva and Rosemary, and the party walked up the stairs to the open door.
A footman in the gray livery of Enderby bowed them in.
CHAPTER XXXI
MRS. FORCE’S BROTHER
A tall, fair, delicate-looking patrician of about forty years of age, clothed in an India silk dressing gown, leaning on the arm of his gray-haired valet, and further supporting himself by a gold-headed cane, approached to welcome them.
“My sister—I am glad to see you, Elfrida,” he said, passing his cane over to his valet and taking the lady by the hand to give her his brotherly kiss. “Now present me to your husband and daughters, and to these—young friends of yours. I am glad to see them all. Very glad.”
Mrs. Force introduced Mr. Force, Leonidas and the girls in turn.
Lord Enderby shook hands with each in succession, and heartily welcomed them all to Enderby.
“You must take your place at the head of my bachelor household, Elfrida. In the meantime, my housekeeper, Mrs. Kelsy here, will show you to your rooms.”
As he spoke, an elderly woman, in her Sunday dress of black silk, with a white net shoulder shawl and a white net cap, came from the rear of the hall, courtesied, and said:
“My lady, this way, if you please.”