The immediate result of this was that Lady Tringle herself did drive across to Kingsbury Crescent accompanied by Gertrude and Lucy, and did make her request in form. "My dear, your uncle particularly wants you to come to us for the next month." Mrs. Dosett was sitting by. "I hope Ayala may be allowed to come to us for a month." "Ayala must answer for herself," said Mrs. Dosett, firmly. There had never been any warm friendship between Mrs. Dosett and her husband's elder sister. "I can't," said Ayala, shaking her head. "Why not, my dear?" said Lady Tringle. "I can't," said Ayala. Lady Tringle was not in the least offended or annoyed at the refusal. She did not at all desire that Ayala should come to Glenbogie. Ayala at Glenbogie would make her life miserable to her. It would, of course, lead to Tom's marriage, and then there would be internecine fighting between Ayala and Augusta. But it was necessary that she should take back to her husband some reply;--and this reply, if in the form of refusal, must come from Ayala herself. "Your uncle has sent me," said Lady Tringle, "and I must give him some reason. As for expense, you know,"--then she turned to Mrs. Dosett with a smile,--"that of course would be our affair." "If you ask me," said Mrs. Dosett, "I think that as Ayala has come to us she had better remain with us. Of course things are very different, and she would be only discontented." At this Lady Tringle smiled her sweetest smile,--as though acknowledging that things certainly were different,--and then turned to Ayala for a further reply. "Aunt Emmeline, I can't," said Ayala. "But why, my dear? Can't isn't a courteous answer to a request that is meant to be kind." "Speak out, Ayala," said Mrs. Dosett. "There is nobody here but your aunts." "Because of Tom." "Tom wouldn't eat you," said Lady Tringle, again smiling. "It's worse than eating me," said Ayala. "He will go on when I tell him not. If I were down there he'd be doing it always. And then you'd tell me that I--encouraged him!"