Finally she began to think whether she would not be justified in being rude to them, since they were so inconsiderate.

She thought over this, and was rapidly coming to the decision that some act of rudeness was her only hope, when, to her immense relief, the servant entered and announced Lord Hawbury.
The entrance of the welcome guest into the room where the unwelcome ones were seated was to Mrs.Willoughby like light in a dark place.

To Minnie also it brought immense relief in her difficult position.

The ladies rose, and were about to greet the new-comer, when, to their amazement, the Baron sprang forward, caught Lord Hawbury's hand, and wrung it over and over again with the most astonishing vehemence.
"Hawbury, as I'm a living sinner! Thunderation! Where did you come from?
Good again! Darn it all, Hawbury, this is real good! And how well you look! _How_ are you?
All right, and right side up?
Who'd have thought it?
It ain't you, really, now, is it?
Darn me if I ever was so astonished in my life! You're the last man I'd have expected.

Yes, _Sir_.