"He _shall_ come. Sir Jasper, do you and Mr. Annon go as a deputation
from us, and return without him at your peril" was her command.

They went, and while waiting their reappearance the sisters spoke of
what all had observed.

"How lovely Mrs. Snowdon looks tonight. I always thought she owed half
her charms to her skill in dress, but she never looked so beautiful as
in that plain black silk, with those roses in her hair," said Rose.

"What has she done to herself?" replied Blanche. "I see a change,
but can't account for it. She and Tavie have made some beautifying
discovery, for both look altogether uplifted and angelic all of a
sudden."

"Here come the gentlemen, and, as I'm a Talbot, they haven't got him!"
cried Rose as the deputation appeared, looking very crestfallen. "Don't
come near me," she added, irefully, "you are disloyal cowards, and I
doom you to exile till I want you. _I_ am infinite in resources as well
as this recreant man, and come he shall. Mrs. Snowdon, would you mind
asking Mr. Treherne to suggest something to wile away the rest of this
evening? We are in despair, and can think of nothing, and you are
all-powerful with him."

"I must decline, since he refuses you" was the decided answer, as Mrs.
Snowdon moved away.

"Tavie, dear, do go; we _must_ have him; he always obeys you, and you
would be such a public benefactor, you know."