“A patient?”
“She didn’t say.”
“Let me see that card.” Maria gave it to her, and, after glancing at it, she said quietly, “Show her in here, Maria.”
“She asked especially to see your father.”
“Do as I tell you, Maria.”
“Yes, Miss.”
Maria went obediently to the hall, returning a moment later, followed by a dark, middle-aged woman, showily dressed, and evidently in a very bad temper. The woman bowed coldly, but Lola made no pretence of returning her bow.
“You need not wait, Maria.”
Maria left the room, and Lola stepped to the door of the dining-room, and looked in, smiling at the three men who so eagerly rose to greet her.
“Don’t get up, please. I am not coming just yet, only please don’t drink all the coffee.”