If you observe, he has something of a godlike and triumphant air about him." "I don't think his godship will triumph there," said Lady Glencora.
"I really think she would be throwing herself very much away," said the old lady.
"Miss Vavasor is not at all disposed to do that," said Mrs Sparkes.
Then that conversation was allowed to drop.
On the following Monday, Lady Midlothian arrived.

The carriage was sent to meet her at the station about three o'clock in the afternoon, and Alice had to choose whether she would undergo her first introduction immediately on her relative's arrival, or whether she would keep herself out of the way till she should meet her in the drawing-room before dinner.
"I shall receive her when she comes," said Lady Glencora, "and of course will tell her that you are here." "Yes, that will be best; and--; dear me, I declare I don't know how to manage it." "I'll bring her to you in my room if you like it." "No; that would be too solemn," said Alice.

"That would make her understand that I thought a great deal about her." "Then we'll let things take their chance, and you shall come across her just as you would any other stranger." It was settled at last that this would be the better course, but that Lady Midlothian was to be informed of Alice's presence at the Priory as soon as she should arrive.
Alice was in her own room when the carriage in which sat the unwelcome old lady was driven up to the hall-door.

She heard the wheels plainly, and knew well that her enemy was within the house.
She had striven hard all the morning to make herself feel indifferent to this arrival, but had not succeeded; and was angry with herself at finding that she sat up-stairs with an anxious heart, because she knew that her cousin was in the room down-stairs.

What was Lady Midlothian to her that she should be afraid of her?
And yet she was very much afraid of Lady Midlothian.