there will just be time to get there, if you will order it
at once. I told your man to be in readiness: and it would be a thousand
pities to lose this train, for there is not another for an hour."

"By Jove, Jew! there's a slap in the face for you," said, in an audible
whisper, one of the train, who had been standing in front of all the
friends, blocking out the view. As for Lady Mariamne, she stared more
straight than ever into Mrs. Dennistoun's eyes, but for the moment did
not seem to find anything to say. She was left in the hall with her band
while the mistress of the house went into the drawing-room, followed by
all the country ladies, who had not lost a word, and who were already
whispering to each other over that terrible betrayal about the temper of
Phil.

"Cut up rough! Oh! poor little Elinor, poor little Elinor!" the ladies
said to each other under their breath.

"I am not at all surprised. It is not any news to me. You could see it
in his eyes," said Miss Mary Dale. And then they all were silent to
listen to the renewed laughter that came bursting from the hall. Mrs.
Hudson questioned her husband afterwards as to what it was that made
everybody laugh, but the Rector had not much to say. "I really could
not tell you, my dear," he said. "I don't remember anything that was
said--but it seemed funny somehow, and as they all laughed one had to
laugh too."

The great lady came in, however, dragged by her brother to say good-by.
"It has all gone off very well, I am sure, and Nell looked very nice,
and did you great credit," she said, putting out her hand. "And it's
very kind of you to take so much trouble to get us off by the first
train."

"Oh, it is no trouble," Mrs. Dennistoun said.

"Shouldn't you like to say good-by to Puggy-muggy?" said Lady Mariamne,
touching the little black nose upon her arm. "He enjoyed that _pate_ so
much. He really never has _foie gras_ at home: but he doesn't at all
mind if you would like to give him a little kiss just here."

"Good-by, Lady Mariamne," said Mrs. Dennistoun, with one of the curtseys
of the old school. But there was another gust of laughter as Lady
Mariamne was placed in the carriage, and a shrill little trumpet gave
forth the satisfaction of the departing guest at having "got a rise out
of the old girl." The gentlemen heaped themselves into Mr. Tatham's
carriage, and swept off along with her, all but civil Harry, who
waited to make their apologies, and to put up