The colonel returned indoors, went back to the dining-room and told his wife what was required of them. Lady Sarah stared in perplexity.
"Receive the people tonight in his place! Why, we cannot do so, colonel. Did you forget that we dine with those people at Hounslow? It's hard to say at what time we shall get back."
Colonel Hope looked a little perplexed too. "I did forget it," he said in his solemn way. "What is to be done?"
"Let mamma be here early and receive them," suggested Lady Frances. "I will help her."
It was an excellent solution of the difficulty. Mr. and Mrs. Didnum took their departure; and Lady Sarah Hope, accompanied by Frances, entered her carriage and ordered it to Chenevix House. The colonel walked away to his club.
Lady Acorn was alone when they entered. She listened to the news her daughters told her of her son-in-law's being summoned away, and of the request that she would take his place that night, and receive his guests.
"I suppose I must," said she, in her tart way; "but I shall have to get round to Grosvenor Square at an inconveniently early hour. Something is sure to happen when you want things to go particularly smoothly. And now—who do you suppose is here?" continued Lady Acorn.
"How can we tell, mamma?" cried Frances, before Sarah had time to speak. "Mary?"
"No; Adela."
"Adela!"