Mrs. Tomkin-Jones sighed.
'It has occurred to me,' said Mr. Holwood, 'that my daughter, coming from the country, might like to walk and look at the shops—and possibly—some trifle in the windows—and so far as my limited means reach—ahem! So I came, with all due deference, to ask if she might be spared from the studies and all that kind of thing to come a light stroll with me.'
'She is entirely at your service,' said the lady. 'I only regret that her new set of gowns and her hats are not come home from mantua-maker and milliner—in which she would be more suitably dressed, and do you more justice.'
'I thank you—she will pass.'
'By the way, sir,' said the widow, 'have you any objection to Winefred attending the next ball at the Assembly?'
'Not in the least—only—but——'
'There is some difficulty about a chaperon. Since my bereavement I cannot go—by the merest accident I know no one of title at the present moment in Bath who could introduce her. There is Lady Wardroper, but she is in constant attendance on her husband.'
'Wardroper!' said Mr. Holwood. 'Not Sir Barnaby?'
'The same.'