"I haven't taken leave of my senses, and I would do more than I am now doing to help a fine girl round a nasty corner. So cheer up, auntie! After we have seen Mrs. Martin we have to go on and visit the grocer."
"I am sure you won't decline. But let us think of Mrs. Martin herself first, and try to remember that by birth she is a lady."
Just at this moment the carriage drew up outside a post-office. There was a short delay while Laburnum Villa was being inquired for by the footman. At last the street in which this small suburban dwelling was situated was discovered, and a few minutes later the carriage, with its splendid horses and two servants on the box, drew up before the green-painted door.
The villa was small, but it was exceedingly neat. The little brass knocker shone, even though yesterday was a day of such fog. The footman came to the carriage-door to make inquiries.
"Hadn't James best inquire if the woman is in?" said Lady Lysle.
She went up the narrow path and rang the front-door bell. Tildy opened the door. The new cook had been peeping above the blinds in the kitchen. Tildy had hastily put on a white apron, but it is to be regretted that a smut was once more on her cheek. Somehow, Aneta liked her all the better for that smut.
"I want to see your mistress, Tildy," she said. "It is something about Miss Maggie, and I am, as you know, one of her schoolfellows."
"Lor', miss! yes, for certain, miss. Mrs. Martin 'll be that proud, miss."
"I have brought my aunt with me," said Aneta. "She would like to come in too in order to see Mrs. Martin."
"Yes, miss; in course, miss. There's no fire lit in the drawin'-room. But there's the dinin'-room; it do smell a bit smoky, for master 'e loves 'is pipe. 'E smokes a lot in the dinin'-room, miss."
"Show us into the dining-room," said Aneta. She ran back to fetch Lady Lysle, and conducted that amazed and indignant woman into the house.
Tildy rushed upstairs to fetch her mistress. "You get into your best gown in no time, mum. There's visitors downstairs--that most beauteous young lady who spoke to me yesterday at Aylmer House, and a lady alongside of 'er as 'u'd make yer 'eart quake. Ef Queen Victoria was alive I'd say yes, it was 'erself. Never did I mark such a sweepin' and 'aughty manner. They're fine folks, both of 'em, and no mistake."