Eleanor sinks on the sofa, the reaction leaving her faint and powerless to speak.
She watches the tea-table brought forward, the hot scones placed by the fire.
At last she regains her composure.
"Who was that at the front door, Sarah?"
"Mr. Quinton, ma'am."
"Mr. Quinton! Why did you not show him in?"
Eleanor leans forward breathlessly, looking Sarah up and down.
The maid crimsons, and replies:
"If you please, it was master's orders. He told me to say 'not at home' when Mr. Quinton called."
A moment's pause, during which Mrs. Roche struggles with her self-control.