Lord and Lady Loring entered the library together.
The dinner having pursued its appointed course (always excepting the case of the omelet), the head servant who had waited at table was graciously invited to rest, after his labors, in the housekeeper's room.
Having additionally conciliated him by means of a glass of rare liqueur, Miss Notman, still feeling her grievance as acutely as ever, ventured to inquire, in the first place, if the gentlefolks upstairs had enjoyed their dinner.

So far the report was, on the whole, favorable.

But the conversation was described as occasionally flagging.

The burden of the talk had been mainly borne by my lord and my lady, Mr.Romayne and Miss Eyrecourt contributing but little to the social enjoyment of the evening.

Receiving this information without much appearance of interest, the housekeeper put another question, to which, judging by her manner, she attached a certain importance.