Can't dinner be delayed ?" "I'm afraid not, my lady." "Ugh!" snapped the countess-dowager.

"Send up tea at once; and let it be strong, with a great deal of green in it.

And some rolled bread-and-butter, and a little well-buttered toast." Mirrable departed with the commands, more inclined to laugh at the selfish old woman than to be angry.

She remembered the countess-dowager arriving on an unexpected visit some three or four years before, and finding the old Lord Hartledon away and his wife ill in bed.

She remained three days, completely upsetting the house; so completely upsetting the invalid Lady Hartledon, that the latter was glad to lend her a sum of money to get rid of her.
Truth to say, Lady Kirton had never been a welcome guest at Hartledon; had been shunned, in fact, and kept away by all sorts of _ruses_.