“But I am not a clergyman’s wife yet,” said Stella with some feeling, “and can surely enjoy a few things of my age until I am—­ and doing my hair how I please is one of them.”

Mr. Medlicott shrugged his shoulders, he refused to continue this unseemly altercation with his betrothed.  He would force her to see reason when once she should be his wife, until then he might have to waive his authority, but should show her by his manner that she had offended him, and judging from the attitudes of the adoring spinsters he had left at Exminster that should be punishment enough.

He turned to the Aunt Caroline now and addressed her exclusively and Stella rebelliously moved her seat back a few inches and looked across the room; and at that moment the tall, odd-looking Russian came in, and retired to a seat far on the other side, exactly opposite them.  Here he ordered a hock and seltzer with perfect unconcern, and smoked his cigarette.  Miss Rawson could hardly bear it.

“There is that extraordinary man again, Stella,” Mrs. Ebley turned to her and said.  “I thought he had gone as he was not at luncheon to-day.  I am sure your fiance will agree with me that such an appearance is sacrilegious—­he must know he looks like a saint—­ and I am quite sure, from what I have heard from Martha, he is not one at all.  He lives in the greatest luxury, Eustace,” she continued, turning to the Rev. Mr. Medlicott. “and probably does no good to anyone in the world.”

“How can you suppose that, Aunt Caroline,” Stella answered with some spirit, “it is surely very uncharitable to judge of people by their appearances and—­and what Martha repeats to you.”

Mrs. Ebley gasped—­never in her whole life had her niece spoken to her in this tone.  She to be rebuked!  It was unspeakable.  She could only glare behind her glasses.  What had come to the girl in the last two days—­if this manner was the result of travel, far better to have stayed at home!

Here Canon Ebley joined in, hoping to bring peace: 

“You have told Eustace what is in store for him to-night, have you not, Caroline, my dear?” he asked.  “We have to put on our best and take our ladies to the Embassy to a rout, Eustace,” he went on, genially.  “There are a Russian Grand Duke and Duchess passing through, it appears, who are going to be entertained.”

“There will be no dancing, I suppose,” said Mr. Medlicott primly, “because, if so, I am sorry, but I cannot accompany you—­it is not that I disapprove of dancing for others,” he hastened to add, “but I do not care to watch it myself.  And I do not think it wise for Stella to grow to care for it, either.”

“It is merely a reception,” Mrs. Ebley said, “and it will be a very interesting sight.”