Somehow or other, Celia was relieved that she was not asked to dine with the family; for she had feared that she might have to do so.

She had her dinner in her own room as usual, and afterwards went into the library to do a little work; but she had scarcely commenced when she heard a knock at the door, and a fashionably-dressed young woman entered.

As she rose, Celia knew that it was Lord Heyton's wife, and she regarded the beautiful face and exquisitely-clad figure with all a woman's admiration for a lovely specimen of her own sex.
"Oh, may I come in ?" said Lady Heyton.

"I shan't disturb you, Miss Grant?
I do so want to see you.

The Marquess has been telling us about you.