"How stupid of me not to know it," she gasped, and would have
gone on to I know not what, but the door opened again. It was
Rickie.

"Here's Miss Pembroke," he said. "I am going to marry her."

There was a profound silence.

"We oughtn't to have done things like this," said Agnes, turning
to Mrs. Lewin. "We have no right to take Mr. Ansell by surprise.
It is Rickie's fault. He was that obstinate. He would bring us.
He ought to be horsewhipped."

"He ought, indeed," said Tilliard pleasantly, and bolted. Not
till he gained his room did he realize that he had been less apt
than usual. As for Ansell, the first thing he said was, "Why
didn't you counter-order the lemon-sole?"

In such a situation Mrs. Lewin was of priceless value. She led
the way to the table, observing, "I quite agree with Miss
Pembroke. I loathe surprises. Never shall I forget my horror when
the knife-boy painted the dove's cage with the dove inside. He
did it as a surprise. Poor Parsival nearly died. His feathers
were bright green!"

"Well, give me the lemon-soles," said Rickie. "I like them."

"The bedder's got them."

"Well, there you are! What's there to be annoyed about?"