Page:The Other House (London, William Heinemann, 1896), Volume 1.djvu/29

Rh hinted a fear of being in that case in the way; on which the young lady protested that she was delighted to see her, that she had already heard of her, that she guessed who she was. "And I daresay you've already heard of me."

Jean shyly confessed to this, and getting away from the subject as quickly as possible, produced on the spot her formal credentials.

"Mrs. Beever sent me over to ask if it's really quite right we should come to luncheon. We came out of church before the sermon, because of some people who were to go home with us. They're with Mrs. Beever now, but she told me to come straight across the garden—the short way."

Miss Armiger continued to smile. "No way ever seems short enough for Mrs. Beever!"

There was an intention in this, as Jean faintly felt, that was lost upon her; but while she was wondering her companion went on:

"Did Mrs. Beever direct you to inquire of me?"

Jean hesitated. "Of any one, I think, who would be here to tell me in case Mrs. Bream shouldn't be quite so well."