grandmother, not in the least crestfallen.

'Are we not to have any tea to-night?' asked Mary, looking round the
room.

'I think you are unconscious of the progress of time, Lady Mary,'
answered Fräulein, stiffly. 'The tea has been brought in and taken out
again.'

'Then it must be brought again, if Lady Mary wants some,' said Hammond,
ringing the bell in the coolest manner.

Fräulein felt that things were coming to a pretty pass, if Maulevrier's
humble friend was going to give orders in the house. Quiet and
commonplace as the Hanoverian was, she had her ambition, and that was to
grasp the household sceptre which Lady Maulevrier must needs in some
wise resign, now that she was a prisoner to her rooms. But so far
Fräulein had met with but small success in this endeavour. Her
ladyship's authority still ruled the house. Her ladyship's keen
intellect took cognisance even of trifles: and it was only in the most
insignificant details that Fräulein felt herself a power.

'Well, your ladyship, what's the row?' said Maulevrier marching into his
grandmother's room with a free and easy air. He was prepared for a
skirmish, and he meant to take the bull by the horns.

'I suppose you know what has happened to-day?' said her ladyship.

'Molly and Hammond's expedition, yes, of course. I went part of the way
with them, but I was out of training, got pumped out after a couple of