A promising son, on the true Fitzgerald lines, was at Oxford now, and gave many anxious crows’-feet full opportunity of developing round his mother’s faded eyes.

A plain daughter, Barbara, was pushed into corners and left much to herself.  And a brilliant, flashing, up-to-date niece of Lady Ada’s took always the first place.

Mildred was so clever, and her lovers were so well chosen, and so thoroughly of the right set or of great wealth; while a puny husband was helped to something in South Africa, when the man in possession was a Jew—­or as agent for tea and jam in the colonies—­when he happened to be only a colossally successful Englishman.  And once, during a prominent politician’s reign, poor Willie Verner enjoyed a few months in his own land as secretary to a newly started Radical club.

This Whitsuntide party was perhaps the smartest of the year.

By Saturday evening over thirty people would be gathered together under the Beechleigh roof.

Josiah, though exceedingly proud and pleased at the invitation, felt nervous at the thought of the visit.  Not so Mr. Toplington, who, although he knew he should probably have to blush for his master, and might get a very secondary place in the “room,” still felt he would hold his own when he could let it be known what magnificent wages he received from Mr. Brown.

“A long sight more than I’d get out of any lord,” he thought.  “And money is money.  And all classes feels it.”

Theodora, on the contrary, was neither proud nor pleased.  She looked forward to the visit with excitement and dread.

Hector would be there, among all these people whom she did not know.  And her awakened heart had begun to tell her that she loved him wildly, and to see him could only be alternate mad joy and remorse and anguish.

It was still drizzling on the Saturday afternoon when they arrived.  So tea awaited them in the great saloon which made the centre of the north side of the house.  Several of the rest of the guests had come down in the same train, but they did not know them, nor did any of them trouble themselves much to speak to them on the short drive from the station.  A few words, that was all, addressed to Theodora.  Josiah was ignored.

Sir Patrick had always been an excellent host.  His genial Irish smile, when in action, concealed the ill-tempered lines of his thin old face.  He greeted his guests cordially, and made them welcome to his home.

Lady Ada had the inherited bad manners of her family, the De Baronsvilles, who had come over with the Conqueror, and when one has a cachet like that there is no need to trouble one’s self further.  Thus, while Mildred flashed brilliant witticisms about, plain Barbara saw after the guests’ tea and sugar, and if they took cream or lemon, and tiresome things like that.  And as every one knew every one else, and the same party met continuously all over England, things were very gay and friendly.