The general grinned appreciatively. "She certainly does not favour us with much of her company; we're not fine enough for her. It was at your marriage, I believe, she was here last. Sue," turning to her, "wasn't it at Leo's marriage your Aunt Charlotte was here last?"
Sue believed so—gravely. Leo experienced a qualm, despite herself, and threw out a little flag of conciliation.
"What did you say when she asked about me, Sue?"
"What could I say? You ought not to have gone, Leonore."
"And you might have known that for yourself," appended Maud. "You really ought not to need so much looking after. Walking about alone with a young man!"
"I did not—we did not—walk far. I took him through the park to the side gate——"
A general exclamation.
"Do wait," continued Leo, quickly. "At the gate we fell in with Mr. Custance,—" involuntarily her eye rested on Sue, and Sue was silenced on the instant,—"so then I knew we were all right. We headed him off coming here, for which I knew you would be grateful. He would not have assimilated with Aunt Charlotte's lot." She paused for assent, and perceiving the shot told, proceeded with confidence: "So we took the dear rector along with us—we could do nothing else,—and when I came back, they went on together. I thought it was rather masterly, myself."
"Why, aye, Custance would have been a fish out of water," allowed the general, nodding approval; "though to be sure the clergyman of the parish is always a respectable visitor. But what of young Butts? I hope he did not think it rather cavalier being shipped off in that fashion?"
"You see I was quite civil to him, father. I saw him looking at his watch as if in a hurry to be off; so I suggested making his apologies to you; and we were standing near the door, so it made no disturbance; and my hat was in the hall, and I was so glad to get out into the open air—there was no harm in it, was there, Sue?"