I am going to the blue room now, and
don't you forget my directions, or I shall box your ears."
Miss Dane sailed off. Margaret looked after her with a queer face.
"She'd do it, too! I wonder what all this means? Some piece of mischief,
I'll be bound!"
The baronet arrived, prompt to the hour, and was ushered at once into
the presence of his enchantress. Fifteen minutes after came Dr.
Oleander, shown by demure Margaret into the drawing-room; and scarcely
was he seated when ting-a-ling! went the bell, and the door was opened
to Mr. Hugh Ingelow. Mr. Ingelow was left to compose himself in the
library. Then there was a pause, and then, last of all, arrived Mr.
Sardonyx.
The blue room bell rang. Margaret ran up and met her mistress at the
door.
"Are they all down-stairs, Margaret?" in a whisper.
"Yes, miss."
"Then show them up in the order they arrived. I don't want Sir Roger to
know they've been kept waiting."
Margaret obeyed. In two minutes she opened the blue-room door, and
announced Dr. Oleander.
The doctor advanced with an expectant smile; recoiled, a second later,
at sight of the baronet, with a frown.
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