There followed a somewhat lengthy and by no means easy pause.  Conversation was spasmodic.  Everyone was listening for the arrival of the last guests, and when after some minutes there came the rush of wheels under the window and the loud hoot of a motor everyone jumped.  Mrs. Damer, who had talked hard through the silences, made no comment but looked unutterably relieved.

Dot openly and eagerly watched the door, and Anne with a conscious effort suppressed an inclination to do likewise.

When it opened she looked up quite naturally, and surely no one suspected the wild leaping of her heart.

Nap entered—­sleek, trim, complacent; followed by Bertie, whose brown face looked unmistakably sullen.

“Sorry we are late,” drawled Nap, “Bertie will make our excuses.”

But Bertie said nothing, and it was left to Mrs. Damer to step into the breach.

She did so quite gallantly, if somewhat clumsily.  “I am very pleased to see you, Nap; but, you know, it was your brother whom we expected.  I didn’t so much as know that you were at home.”

“Oh, quite so,” smiled Nap.  “Don’t apologise—­please!” He bent slightly over her hand.  “So good of you not to mind the exchange.  I know I am a poor substitute.  But my brother is entertaining an old friend who has arrived unexpectedly, so I persuaded him to send me in his place.  He charged me with all manner of excuses and apologies, which I have not delivered since I know them to be unnecessary.”

Mrs. Damer found it impossible not to smile at his calm effrontery, even though she knew Major Shirley to be frowning behind her back.

“When did you return?” she asked.  “Someone said you were in the States.”

“I was,” said Nap.  “I returned half an hour ago; hence our late arrival, for which I humbly beg to apologise, and to entreat you not to blame Bertie, who, as you perceive, is still speechless with suspense.”

“Oh, you Americans!” laughed Mrs. Damer.  “You are never at a loss.  Do let us go in to dinner.  No, Nap!  The doctor will take me.  Will you take Miss Waring?  But you won’t be able to sit together.  You have disarranged all my plans, so I shall treat you as of no importance.”

“Miss Waring won’t quarrel with either you or me on that account,” commented Nap, as he offered his arm to the rector’s daughter with ironical courtesy.  “Come along, Miss Waring!  Shut your eyes and bolt me.  It will soon be over.”

Dot was young enough to make a face at him, but the hard stare with which he countered it reduced her almost instantly to confusion.  Whereupon he transferred his attention and looked at her no more.

But compensation was in store for her, for at the dinner-table she found herself placed between Bertie and the doctor, a pleasing situation in which she speedily recovered her spirits, since the doctor talked to his hostess, and Bertie’s partner, Mrs. Shirley, strenuously occupied the attention of her host, who was seated on her other side.