She made a hearty meal, urged on by Jake who presently bestowed the whole of his attention upon her, seeming to dismiss his wife and brother-in-law from his mind.
"I really must be going," she declared at length, having detailed all the local gossip she could think of for his delectation. "You shouldn’t encourage me so, Jake. I’m sure you’ll all be tired out."
"I reckon you’re just the most welcome visitor that ever darkens my doors," said Jake, rising with her. "Now, you’re not to hurry. I’m going to tell them to put the horse in."
"No, no, Jake, my dear, don’t you! I’d sooner walk. I would indeed. It does me good, and it’s too cold to-night for driving. No, and I’m not going to let you see me home either. I’d know the way blindfold, and I’m not that nervous. Oh, there now! What’s this?"
Mrs. Lovelace had just thrown open the door with some pomp. She entered, bearing an enormous bunch of violets which she proceeded to present to Maud with the ceremonious announcement: "Lord Saltash’s compliments, ma’am, and will you do him the honour to accept these?"
Maud said nothing. She took the violets and held them up to her face.
Jake glanced at her momentarily, and thence to Mrs. Lovelace who had come forward to help Mrs. Wright into her cloak.
Mrs. Lovelace gave a start, as if something in the query surprised her. "No sir, the flowers was brought by a groom," she said.
Jake said no more, but something in his silence sent the ever-ready colour flooding Maud’s face and neck. She bent a little lower over the violets, saying no word.
Mrs. Wright came clumsily into the breach. "But aren’t they lovely, to be sure? Never did I see such beauties. And the scent of ’em, why, the room is full of it! Isn’t that kind of Lord Saltash now?"
"They have a great quantity at the Castle," Maud said in muffled tones.
She held the flowers for Mrs. Wright to smell, and at the same moment Jake reached forth and took them from her outstretched hand.
"You take ’em if you like ’em, Mother. We get more of ’em than we want," he said, in leisurely tones, and thrust the bouquet forthwith into her astonished grasp.
"Oh, my dear!" cried Mrs. Wright, between dismay and delight. "But--but they was a present to Mrs. Bolton. I couldn’t really! No, that I couldn’t!"