"Must I?" said the hero. "Let's go out on the terrace and see what's going on. We can watch them the whole way up."
He opened the door into the south drawing-rooms; and through the open windows there floated the distant strains of the village band.
"Canon, your arm," said Lady Belstone.
Lady Mary and her son had hastened out on to the terrace.
The old ladies paused in the doorway; they were particular in such matters.
"I believe I take precedence, Georgina," said Lady Belstone, apologetically.
"I am far from disputing it, Isabella," said Miss Crewys, drawing back with great dignity. "You are the elder."
"Age does not count in these matters. I take precedence, as a married woman. Will you bring up the rear, Georgina, as my poor admiral would have said?"
Miss Crewys bestowed a parting toss of the head upon the doctor, and followed her victorious sister.
The doctor laughed silently to himself, standing in the pretty shady drawing-room; now gay with flowers, and chintz, and Dresden china.