"I hope you danced with her," said Mrs. Buckley.
"Indeed I did, my dear. And she wore a wreath of yellow chrysanthemum, no other flowers being obtainable. I assure you we 'kept the flure' in splendid style."
They were all laughing at the idea of the Major dancing, when Sam exclaimed, "Good Lord!"
"What's the matter my boy?" said the Major.
"I must cry peccavi," said Sam. "Father, you will never forgive me! I forgot till this moment a most important message. I was rather knocked up, you see, and went to sleep, and that sent it out of my head."
"You are forgiven, my boy, be it what it may. I hope it is nothing very serious."
"Well, it is very serious," said Sam. "As I was coming by Hanging Rock, I rode up to the door a minute, to see if Cecil was at home,—and Mrs. Mayford came out and wanted me to get off and come in, but I hadn't time; and she said, 'The Dean is coming here to-night, and he'll be with you to-morrow night, I expect. So don't forget to tell your mother.'"
"To-morrow night!" said Mrs. Buckley, aghast. "Why, my dear, boy, that is to-night! What shall I do?"
"Nothing at all, my love," said the Major, "but make them get some supper ready. He can't have expected us to wait dinner till this time."
"I thought," said Captain Brentwood, "that the Dean was gone back to England."