Anne, adhering to the colours of Lord Hartledon, though he had been defeated, was in a rich, glistening white silk, with natural flowers, red and purple, on its body, and the same in her hair.

Her sweet face was sunny again, her eyes were sparkling: a word dropped by Dr.Ashton had given her a hope that, perhaps, Percival Elster might be forgiven sometime.
He was the first of the culprits to make his appearance.

The dowager attacked him of course.

What did he mean by keeping dinner waiting?
Val replied that he was late in coming home; he had been out.

As to keeping dinner waiting, it seemed that Lord Hartledon was doing that: he didn't suppose they'd have waited for him.
He spoke tartly, as if not on good terms with himself or the world.