"They are in the hall," hissed Amelia.
"They are coming up," said Mr. Welwyn calmly.
Suddenly Tilly's fortitude deserted her.
"I can't bear it!" she wailed, and bolted incontinently through the inner door into her father's room.
"Tilly darling, don't leave us!" was the agonised cry of Mrs. Welwyn and Amelia....
Next moment Mr. Welwyn, finding himself alone in his own drawing-room, rose to his feet and, as rapidly as was compatible with the dignity of a scholar and a gentleman, joined the panic-stricken mob in his bedroom.
Almost simultaneously the door onto the landing was thrown open, and Mr. Stillbottle's wheezy voice announced:--
"Lord Mainwaring, Lady Mainwaring, and party!" Then in a surprised and informal tone:--
"Hallo! Stage clear?"
CHAPTER XXI