r, but she was weighed down with confusion in his presence. The
novelty, the wonderment of her position overpowered her. She yearned for
the shelter of Fraeulein Mueller's wing, albeit the company of that most
prosaic person was certain death to romance.

Miss Mueller was in her accustomed seat by the fire, knitting her
customary muffler. She had appropriated Lady Maulevrier's place, much to
Mary's disgust. It irked the girl to see that stout, clumsy figure in
the chair which had been filled by her grandmother's imperial form. The
very room seemed vulgarised by the change.

Fraeulein looked up with a surprised air when Mary and Hammond entered
together, the girl smiling and happy. She had expected that Mary would
have left her ladyship's room in tears, and would have retired to her
own apartment to hide her swollen eyelids and humiliated aspect. But
here she was, after the fiery ordeal of an interview with her offended
grandmother, not in the least crestfallen.

'Are we not to have any tea to-night?' asked Mary, looking round the
room.

'I think you are unconscious of the progress of time, Lady Mary,'
answered Fraeulein, stiffly. 'The tea has been brought in and taken out
again.'

'Then it must be brought again, if Lady Mary wants some,' said Hammond,
ringing the bell in the coolest manner.

Fraeulein felt that things were coming to a pretty pass, if Maulevrier's
humble friend was going to give orders in the house. Quiet and
commonplace as the Hanoverian was, she had her ambition, and that was to
grasp the household sceptre which Lady Maulevrier must needs in some
wise resign, now that she was a prisoner to her rooms. But so far
Fraeulein had met with but small success in this endeavour. Her
ladyship's authority still ruled the house. Her ladyship's keen
intellect took cognisance even of trifles: and it was only in the most
insignificant details that Fraeulein felt herself a power.

'Well, your ladyship, what's the row?' said Maulevrier marching into his
grandmother's room with a free and easy air. He was prepared for a
skirmish, and he meant to take the bull by the horns.

'I suppose you know what has happened to-day?' said her ladyship.

'Molly and Hammond's expedition, yes, of course. I went part of the way
with them, but I was out of training, got pumped out after a couple of
miles, and wasn't such a fool as to go to the top.'

'Do you know that Mr. Hammond made Mary an offer, while they were on the
hill