She could imagine Mallory growing into the same gracious old manhood as her uncle.
"A propos," pursued Lord St.John, with a twinkle, "your handmaiden appears to me a quite just cause and impediment." "Oh, our 'Adagio' ?" exclaimed Nan.

"We've long since ceased to expect much from her.

Did she keep you waiting on the doorstep long ?" "Only about ten minutes," murmured St.John mildly.

"But seriously, why don't you--er--give her warning ?" "My dear innocent uncle!" protested Nan amusedly.

"Don't you know that that sort of thing isn't done nowadays--not in the best circles ?" "Besides," added Penelope practically, "we should probably be only out of the frying pan into the fire.