She had been reared and trained for that; and she was not going to belie her training.
A visitor from the great London world was so rare an event that there was naturally a little excitement in the idea of Lady Kirkbank's arrival.

The handsomest and most spacious of the spare bedrooms was prepared for the occasion.

The housekeeper was told that the dinner must be perfect.

There must be nothing old-fashioned or ponderous; there must be mind as well as matter in everything.

Rarely did Lady Maulevrier look at a bill of fare; but on this particular morning she went carefully through the menu, and corrected it with her own hand.
A pair of post-horses brought Lady Kirkbank and her maid from Windermere station, in time for afternoon tea, and the friends who had only met twice within the last forty years, embraced each other on the threshold of Lady Maulevrier's morning-room.
'My dearest Di,' cried Lady Kirkbank, 'what a delight to see you again after such ages; and what a too lovely spot you have chosen for your retreat from the world, the flesh, and the devil.