"I thought he said that he was going to meet her underneath the trysting tree!"
The old lady smiled a superior smile.
"You really must not believe such nonsense as that. I assure you it is the greatest presumption upon his part."
"It would require a good deal of assurance to make me believe that it was not."
"Lily will be with us directly. Young ladies cannot rush into a gentleman's presence quite at a moment's notice, you know."
"I beg that Miss Truscott will take her time!"
Mr. Ely marched to the other end of the room, and stood looking in rather too obvious admiration at an engraving after Landseer which hung upon the wall. Mrs. Clive, a little disconcerted, was left to make conversation with Mr. Ash. But Mr. Ash was in a distinctly uneasy frame of mind.
"I suppose," he said in a whisper to the lady, keeping one eye fixed on Mr. Ely all the time, "I suppose she'll come?"
"My dear Mr. Ash, what do you mean?"
The lady's modulated tones betrayed the most intense surprise. Mr. Ash coughed. His manner was apologetic. But without volunteering an explanation he sauntered off towards Mr. Ely. He had hardly taken a step when the door opened and Miss Truscott appeared. The young lady's entrance, in its way, was perfect. She was so extremely at her ease. She stood at the door a moment, and then advanced with outstretched hands and the sweetest smile to Mr. Ash. She did not seem to notice Mr. Ely. He, on his part, continued to admire the engraving.