’Yes, dear, there are plenty of such cottages in London.  In Mayfair, for instance, or Belgravia.’

’Now, you are laughing at my rustic ignorance.  But the five hundred pounds will be a help, won’t it?’

‘Yes, dear, a great help.’

‘I’m so glad.’

She had chalked her cue while she was talking, but after taking her aim, she dropped her arm irresolutely.

‘Do you know I’m afraid I can’t play to-night,’ she said.

’Helvellyn and the fog and the wind have quite spoilt my nerve.  Shall we go to the drawing-room, and see if Fraeulein has recovered from her gloomy fit?’

’I would rather stay here, where we are free to talk; but I’ll do whatever you like best.’

Mary preferred the drawing-room.  It was very sweet to be alone with her lover, 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.