"Yes," was the answer, given with some hesitation.
"At what time?"
"Dinner is ordered for eight o'clock," said the parlour-maid.
"Oh, then that accounts for it," cried Carrissima. "I understood it was to be half-past seven."
"We always dine at eight," returned the parlour-maid, as she stirred the fire. "If you wouldn't mind taking a chair," she added, "Mr. and Mrs. Clynesworth will not be many minutes."
With that she left the room and shut the door, only to re-open it again a few moments later, whereupon Mark Driver entered without any announcement. To judge by appearances, he was far more astonished to behold Carrissima than she to see him. For a second he stood stock still just within the door, gazing down at her face in silence. It was she who at last broke through the embarrassment, rising and offering her hand.
"Good-evening, Mark!" she said.
"Good-evening," he replied, and then the conversation threatened to languish.
"What," asked Carrissima, "do you imagine has become of our host and hostess?"
"Goodness knows," said Mark. "There's obviously some mistake. Anyhow,
I was immensely surprised to see their other guest."