And scarcely had the party risen from the table, and the sisters retired, ere an astonishing thing happened.
We all know there are days of happenings; days charged with vitality and eventfulness; when nothing surprises and nothing seems out of the way,--it seemed quite a commonplace occurrence on the present occasion, when a motor car, full to the brim, whirled to the Abbey door.
At another time such a sight would have sent a thrill of excitement through the whole house; as it was, Sue moved quietly forward to greet a bevy of ladies, and Leo inwardly blessed her coat and skirt.
"We are on tour, and ought to have been here an hour ago, my dear people," cried a gay voice, belonging to General Boldero's only sister, who though several years older than he, seemed, and to all intents and purposes was, at least as much younger. She then presented her friends, and continued: "We took a wrong turning, or should have hit off your luncheon hour, Sue; but you will still have pity on our famished state, I'm sure,----" and the speaker put up her glasses, and inspected the circle.
"Only yourselves, I see; and only you girls. Is your father not at home to-day?"
"He is still in the dining-room, but----"
"In the dining-room? How lucky! We are not as late as we thought. Pray, dear Sue, take us there at once. You know I told you I should drop in unbeknownst some day," proceeded the voluble lady, slipping her hand within her niece's arm, and gently urging her towards the door, "so you probably were on the look out? No? Oh, but I said I should come."
"Summer? But it is far pleasanter now. No dust, and the inns not half so crowded. Well, William, here we are,"--and the amazed William, who was peacefully sipping his coffee and smoking his cigar, and thinking that after all even an eighth son who was nephew of a rich and powerful neighbour was worth a luncheon and not bad company after it, found himself startled out of his chair by an invasion as unexpected as it was inopportune.
But he was somewhat afraid of his sister, of her fashion and smartness--above all of her _sang froid_. There was no saying what she might say or do.
Moreover he had a sneaking desire to show off before her. He was really pleased to be found entertaining, if so be he must be found at all. Altogether, after the first shock, he rose to the occasion creditably.