Mrs.Goddard was convinced and the affair was a complete success.
John felt that he could not complain of his position, but as he was separated from the object of his admiration during the whole meal, he resolved to indemnify himself for his sufferings by monopolising her conversation during the rest of the evening.

The squire on the other hand, who had been obliged to talk to Mrs.Ambrose during most of the time while they were at table, and who, moreover, was beginning to feel that he had seen almost enough of John Short, determined to give the young man a lesson in the art of interesting women in general and Mrs.
Goddard in particular.

She, indeed, would not have been a woman at all had she not understood the two men and their intentions.

After tea the party congregated round the fire in the little drawing-room, standing in a circle, of which their hostess formed the centre.

Mr.Juxon and John, anticipating that Mrs.Goddard must ultimately sit upon one side or other of the fireplace had at first chosen opposite sides, each hoping that she would take the chair nearest to himself.