Owing a return for hospitalities received from Lady Myrie and Mrs.Norman, Mrs.Romsey had invited the two ladies to drink tea with her in honor of an interesting domestic event.

Her husband, absent on the Continent for some time past, on business connected with his firm, had returned to England, and had that evening joined his wife and children at Sandyseal.
Lady Myrie had arrived, and Mr.Romsey had been presented to her.

Mrs.
Norman, expected to follow, was represented by a courteous note of apology.

She was not well that evening, and she begged to be excused.
"This is a great disappointment," Mrs.Romsey said to her husband.

"You would have been charmed with Mrs.Norman--highly-bred, accomplished, a perfect lady.