At the dinner-table, however, she found herself seated on the left hand of her host; and she took care to secure to herself the greater share of his attention during the progress of dinner.
Gordon Graham watched his sister from his place near the foot of the table, and was well satisfied with her success.
"If she plays her cards well she may sit at the head of this table next
Christmas-day," he said to himself.
After less than half-an-hour's interval, the gentlemen followed the ladies into the drawing-room, and the usual musical evening set in. Lydia Graham had nothing to fear from comparison with the Misses Mordaunt. They were tolerable performers. She was a brilliant proficient in music, and she had the satisfaction of observing that Lionel Dale perceived and appreciated her superiority. She could afford, therefore, to be as amiable to the girls as she was captivating to the gentlemen.
The Misses Mordaunt were singing a duet, when a servant entered, and approached Lionel Dale.
"There is a person in the hall who asks to see you, sir," said the man, "on most particular business."
"What kind of person?" asked the rector.
"Well, sir, she looks like an old gipsy woman."
"A gipsy woman! The gipsies about here do not bear the best character."
"No, sir," replied the man. "I bore that in mind, sir, with a view to the plate, and I told John Andrew to keep an eye upon her while I came to speak to you; and John Andrew is keeping an eye upon her at this present moment, sir."