Cleone smiled through her tears.
"You are, Aunt Sally. And you are in a very teasing humour!"
Sir Maurice pressed her hands gently. He turned to the curtseying Jennifer.
"Why, Jenny? This is a surprise! How are you, child?"
"Very well, I thank you, sir," she answered. "Very happy to be in London."
"The first visit! Where are you staying?"
"With Grandmamma, out at Kensington," she said.
Lady Malmerstoke clutched Tom's arm.
"Kensington, poor child!" she murmured. "For heaven's sake everyone sit down! No, Maurice, that chair is too low for me. I'll take the couch." She proceeded to do so. As a matter of course, Tom sat down beside her. The others arranged themselves in two pairs, Sir Maurice leading Jennifer to a chair near the fire, and Cleone going to the window-seat with the admiring James.
Five minutes later the bell rang for the third time, and Jennifer received the worst shock of the afternoon. The page announced Mr. Philip Jettan, and Philip came into the room.