“My dear admiral never permitted me to postpone returning a call for more than a week.  Royalty, he always said, the same day; ordinary people within a week,” said Lady Belstone.

“When royalty calls I certainly will return the visit the same day,” said Lady Mary, petulantly.  “But I cannot spend my whole life driving along the high-roads from one house to another.  I hate driving, as you know, Isabella.”

“What did Providence create carriages for but to be driven in?” said Lady Belstone.

“You will give John a wrong impression of our worthy neighbours, Mary,” said Sir Timothy, pompously.  “Personally, I am always glad to see them.”

“But you don’t have to return their calls, Timothy,” said Lady Mary.

The canon inadvertently laughed.  Sir Timothy looked annoyed.  Miss Crewys whispered to Lady Belstone, unheard save by the doctor—­

“How very odd and flippant poor Mary is to-night—­worse than usual!  What can it be?”

“It is just the presence of a strange gentleman that is upsetting her, poor thing,” said her sister, in the same whisper.  “Her head is easily turned.  We had better take no notice.”

The doctor muttered something emphatic beneath his breath.

“Mrs. and Miss Hewel,” said Ash, advancing into the hall.

“Is it only you and Sarah, after all?  What a relief!  I thought it was visitors,” cried Lady Mary, coming forward to greet them very kindly and warmly.  “Did you come across in the ferry?”

“No, indeed.  You know how I dislike the ferry.  I have the long drive home still before me.  But we were so close to Barracombe, at the Gilberts’ tea-party.  I thought we should be certain to meet you there,” said Mrs. Hewel, in rather reproachful tones.  “Sarah, of course, wanted to go back in the ferry, but I am always doubly frightened at night—­and in one’s best clothes.  It was quite a large party.”

“I’m afraid I forgot all about it,” said Lady Mary, with a conscience-stricken glance at her husband.

“I hope you sent the carriage round to the stables?” said Sir Timothy.

“No, no; we mustn’t stop a minute.  But I couldn’t help just popping in—­so very long since I’ve seen you—­and all this happening at once,” said Mrs. Hewel.  She was a large, stout woman, with breathless manner and plaintive voice.  “And I wanted to show you Sarah in her first grown-up clothes, and tell you about her too,” she added.

“Bless me!” said Sir Timothy.  “You don’t mean to say little Sarah is grown up.”

“Oh yes, dear Sir Timothy; she grew up the day before yesterday,” said Mrs. Hewel.

“Sharp work,” said the doctor, grimly.

“I mean, of course, she turned up her hair, and let her dresses down.  It’s full early, I know, but it’s such a chance for Sarah—­that’s partly what I came about.  After the trouble she’s been all her life to me, and all—­just going to that excellent school in Germany—­here’s my aunt wanting to adopt her, or as good as adopt her—­Lady Tintern, you know.”