"There's not a person, black or white, can get across the door-mat, past mother and me, until his lordship comes," she allowed herself the privilege of adding.
Emily felt a little nervous when she pictured to herself Lord Walderhurst crossing the door-mat of a house in Mortimer Street in search of his Marchioness.

She had not yet had time to tell him the story of the episode of the glass of milk and Hester Osborn's sudden outburst.

Every moment had been given to carefully managed arrangement for the journey which was to seem so natural.

Hester's cleverness had suggested every step and had supported her throughout.

But for Hester she was afraid she might have betrayed herself.