At this moment Aunt Jelly's courteous conversation was interrupted by a ring at the door, and Miss Pelch being sent to the window to reconnoitre returned with the information that it was Sir Guy and Lady Errington.
Miss Corbin drew her shawl carefully round her angular shoulder, laid her knitting on her lap, and having dismissed Minnie to a distant corner of the room, where she sat in the shadow like an unhappy ghost, was prepared to receive company.
Bickles, the fat, pompous butler of the establishment, threw open the door of the room and announced in a deep voice:
"Sir Guy and Lady Errington."
And the young couple entered into the presence of the old dragon.
[CHAPTER XII.]
AUNT JELLY'S OPINION.
"All speech is silver, silence gold
(I wish it were on some occasions),
For though unpleasant to be told,