He offered Mrs. Tempest his arm, and they went put into the vestibule, where the Captain left them for a few minutes, while he went into the porch to hasten the arrival of the carriage.
"Where were you and Captain Winstanley all that time, Violet?" asked Mrs. Tempest.
"In the garden."
"How imprudent!"
"Indeed, dear mamma, it wasn't cold."
"But you were out there so long. What could you find to talk about all that time?"
"We were not talking all the time, only enjoying the cool air and the moonlight."
"Mrs. Tempest's carriage!" roared one of the door-keepers, as if it had been his doing that the carriage had appeared so quickly.
Captain Winstanley was ready to hand them to their brougham.
"Come and take a cup of tea to-morrow afternoon, and let as talk over the ball," said the widow.