Still no sign of Mary, but just as they were all wondering with regard to her absence, the door was opened, and a girl, with a smudge on her face and her hat pushed crooked on her head, entered the room. She held her little sketch-book and came eagerly forward.
"Oh, I am sorry I am late," she said; "I hope I kept no one waiting. I forgot all about it—it was that wonderful old oak-tree."
"What, the grenadier?" said Sir John, with a smile. "Have you been sketching it, Miss Bateman?"
"I have been trying to, but it is awfully difficult."
"You must let me see your attempt."
He went up to Mary, took her sketch-book, opened it, and a smile of pleasure flitted across his face as he saw the very clever and spirited sketch which the girl had made.
"Ah!" he said, "I am delighted you like this sort of thing. Would you like to take many views from my grounds?"
"Certainly—better than anything in the world almost," said Mary.
"Well, let me offer you my arm now into lunch. Ladies, will you follow us, please?"
Florence's brow contracted with a frown. Mrs. Clavering took Kitty's hand, motioned to Florence to follow, and they went into the dining-room.