"Perhaps we did not appreciate her sufficiently down here," said Lady
Mary, smiling.
"Why, who is she, after all?" cried Peter.
"A very beautiful and self-possessed young woman, and Lady Tintern's niece, 'whom not to know argues yourself unknown,'" said Lady Mary, laughing outright. "John says people were actually mobbing her picture in the Academy; he could not get near it."
"I mean," said Peter, almost sulkily, "that she's only old Colonel
Hewel's daughter, whom we've known all our lives."
"Perhaps one is in danger of undervaluing people one has known all one's life," said Lady Mary, lightly.
Peter muttered something to the effect that he was sorry to hear Sarah had grown up like that; but his words were lost in the tumultuous entry of Dr. Blundell, who pealed the front door bell, and rushed into the hall, almost simultaneously.
His dark face was flushed and enthusiastic. He came straight to Peter, and held out his hand.
"A thousand welcomes, Sir Peter. Lady Mary, I congratulate you. I came up in my dog-cart as fast as possible, to let you know the people are turning out en masse to welcome you. They're assembling at the Crewys Arms, and going to hurry up to the house in a regular procession, band and all."
"We're proud of our young hero, you see," said the canon; and he laid his hand affectionately on Peter's shoulder.
"You will have to say a few words to them," said Lady Mary.