"Family prayers now? His lordship will lead, of course—a thing he is quite used to, and can do better than most, having always——" Here she stopped, remembering that there was no absolute necessity to explain the duties of a village schoolmaster.
"There are no family prayers, my lady, and your ladyship can have dinner or any other meal at any time you please."
"His lordship's time for meals will be those of his brother peers."
"Yes, my lady. Breakfast at ten?"
"Ten will do perfectly." It was two hours later than their usual time and her husband's sufferings would be very great. Still, everything must give way to the responsibilities of the rank.
"Will your ladyship take luncheon at half-past one, and tea at half-past five, and dinner at eight?"
"Yes, now that we know them, these hours will suit me perfectly. We do not in our own country take tea before dinner, but after it. That is nothing, however. And supper?"
"Your ladyship can have supper whenever you want it," replied the maid. She hesitated for a moment and then went on. "It is not usual for supper to be served at all."
"Oh! then we must go without."
By this time her husband was dressed, and, obedient to instruction, he had put on his new dress-coat, without, however, making any alteration in the rest of his morning garments. The effect, therefore, when they descended to the drawing-room would have been very startling, but for the fact that there was nobody to see it.