‘Pass up one, Septimus,’ whispered his sister in his ear.
‘If you talk to me in that strain, I shall begin to think you a very, very dangerous man,’ simpered her ladyship.
‘There’s a charming view of the lake from an opening in the trees a little farther on,’ remarked Dr Mac. ‘Would not your ladyship like to walk as far?’
‘By all means, though I am loath to tear myself from this exquisite spot.’
‘We shall find our way back to it later on.’
‘With your permission, I will leave you good people for a little while,’ remarked Miss Pen. ‘I’ve other fish to fry.’
Her ladyship stared. ‘What an excessively vulgar remark!’ was her unspoken thought.
Miss Gaisford turned to her. ‘Lady Renshaw, I must intrust these two young sparks into your hands for a time.’
‘You could not leave us in more charming captivity,’ remarked the gallant doctor.
The vicar, as he fingered the hammer in his pocket, looked imploringly at his sister, but she pretended not to see.