"Who is that?" she inquired suddenly, indicating the head, and turning her look upon the two men.
"I think it is yourself, my lady," answered the bolder of the two.
Lady Ogram smiled. That use of the present tense was agreeable to her.
"You are to take it down to the green drawing-room. Carry me there, first, and I will show you where to place it."
Arrived at the ground-floor, she quitted her chair and walked into the drawing-room with step which was almost firm. Here, among the flowers and leafage, sat May Tomalin, who, surprised at her aunt's early appearance, rose forward with an exclamation of pleasure.
"How well you look this morning, aunt!"
"I'm glad you think so, my dear," was the pleased and dignified reply. "Be so kind, May, as to go into the library, and wait there until I send for you."
The girl turned pale. For a moment, she thought her escapade of this morning had been discovered, and that terrible things were about to happen. Her fright could not escape Lady Ogram's observation.
"What, have I frightened you? Did it remind you of being sent into the corner when you were a little girl?"
She laughed with discordant gaiety.