Celia hurried back from Lady Gridborough's, ran up the great stone steps and entered the hall.

Catching sight of Mrs.Dexter coming from the dining-room, Celia began, "Oh, Mrs.Dexter, I've had quite an adventure----" But she stopped as she saw that the hitherto placid housekeeper was evidently in a state of agitation, and, instead of continuing, Celia broke off with: "Oh, is anything the matter, Mrs.Dexter ?" "Matter! I should think so," responded Mrs.Dexter, throwing out her hand, which grasped a telegram.

"I've just had this from his lordship the Marquess, saying that he is coming down.

And to dinner! I'm sure I don't know what I'm going to do." "But everything is in readiness ?" said Celia, remembering Mrs.Dexter's vaunt.
"Of course it is, my dear; but the dinner----! All the staff seems to have lost its head; and I, myself, am so flurried----" Celia laid her hand upon the plump arm and pressed it, encouragingly.
"It will be all right," she said, soothingly.

"Surely there will be enough in the house for one man!" "My dear young lady," retorted Mrs.Dexter, solemnly, "you have to prepare a regular dinner, with all the proper courses, whether it's for one man or a party.