The ladies had just left the dinner-table, and were having coffee in the drawing-room when Miss Greeby made this abrupt announcement.
"Oh, my dear," said Lady Garvington, in dismay.

"I wish you would change your mind.

Nearly everyone has gone, and the house is getting quite dull." "Thanks ever so much," remarked Mrs.Belgrove lightly.

She sat near the fire, for the evening was chilly, and what with paint and powder, and hair-dye, to say nothing of her artistic and carefully chosen dress, looked barely thirty-five in the rosy lights cast by the shaded lamps.
"I don't mean you, dear," murmured the hostess, who was even more untidy and helpless than usual.

"You are quite a host in yourself.