The guests took their departure early.

Sir Roger lingered behind the rest, and when alone with him the master of the house summoned Lucy.

That handmaiden appeared, her eyes dancing with delight in her head.
"Where is your mistress, Lucy ?" Mr.Walraven asked.
"Gone to bed, sir," said Lucy, promptly.
"You brought her up supper ?" "Yes, sir." "What did she say to you ?" "Nothing much, sir, only that she was famished, and jolted to death in that old carriage; and then she turned me out, saying she felt as though she could sleep a week." "Nothing more ?" "Nothing more, sir." Lucy was dismissed.
Mr.Walraven turned to the baronet sympathizingly.
"I feel as deeply mystified and distressed about this matter as even you can do, my dear Sir Roger; but you perceive there is nothing for it but to wait.

Oleander was right this evening when he said the rules that measure other women fail with Mollie.

She is an original, and we must be content to bide her time.