Miss Limpenny, nervously toying with her best brooch, rose in a
flutter as the door opened and admitted them.

"So afraid we are late! but the clocks at 'The Bower' have not yet
recovered from their journey."

Mrs. Goodwyn-Sandys gazed calmly about her. There was a rustle
throughout the room; two pink spots appeared on Miss Limpenny's
cheeks; she stumbled in her words of welcome. The Vicar frowned and
looked puzzled.

Mrs. Goodwyn-Sandys wore a low-necked gown!

It was a shock; but it passed. She was wonderfully pretty, all
admitted, in her gown of a rich amber satin draped with delicate
folds of black lace; around her white throat a diamond necklace
glistened. How well I can remember her as she stood there toying
with a button of her glove! And how mean and dowdy we all looked
beside this glittering vision!

The Honourable Frederic Augustus Hythe Goodwyn-Sandys meanwhile
stared at us all calmly but firmly through his eye-glass. I saw
young Horatio Saunders meet that gaze and sink into his carpet
slippers. I saw Mr. Moggridge frown terribly, and cross his arms.
Sam Buzza came forward--

"Ah, how d'ye do? How d'ye do, Mrs. Goodwyn-Sandys? Looking round
for the governor? He's been in bed for a week."

I think we all envied Samuel Buzza at this moment.