The Mysterious Lady had her _face-à-main_ up, and her disgusted stare wandered from the excited women to the dishevelled group formed by Mrs. Poskett and the Admiral. "What horrible people!" she exclaimed. She bore down on Sir Peter, who had managed to shake off his fair burden, and stood panting with suppressed fury. "You dreadful old man—" she began. "Eh?" cried the Admiral. "You, again! Don’t you speak to me! I’m dangerous!" The three conspirators in the Gazebo were listening with all their ears. "You don’t know whom you’re addressing!" said the Lady, haughtily. "I don’t, and I don’t want to," answered the Admiral, mopping his brow. The Lady drew herself up to her full height. "I am Caroline Thring!" "Caroline—!" ejaculated the Admiral, who had caught sight of Marjolaine and Jack. But the situation was too much for him, and he sank speechless on the seat under the elm. "Caroline! Oh, my stars!" cried Jack. Fortunately the Honourable Caroline Thring turned away from the Gazebo and examined the houses, where all the women were standing on guard, prepared to defend the doors with their lives. Marjolaine had time to gather her wits. She saw the Eyesore’s smock and hat lying where Jack had thrown them. "Put those on! Quick!" she cried. "Where is the girl with the curls?" asked Caroline, turning fiercely on Sir Peter. "I—I—I—don’t know," he stammered. "In the summer-house, no doubt," said she, beginning to advance towards it. "She ’s coming!" whispered Jack, who was not nearly ready. Then, to Doctor Sternroyd, who was standing first on one leg and then on the other and alternately opening and shutting his umbrella in his helpless bewilderment, "Doctor! Lie! Lie, as you never lied before in your life!" But Sir Peter had jumped up, and was barring Caroline’s way. "You mustn’t go there!—You can’t go there!—You shan’t go there!" Caroline gave him a look and brushed him away with a contemptuous motion of her _face-à-main_. "Stand aside, intoxicated person!" "Intoxicated!—Me!" screamed the Admiral, sinking back on the seat. Caroline found herself face to face with Doctor Sternroyd, whom Marjolaine had thrust forward, just as you throw your wife or your child to the wolves when you are sleighing in Siberia. "A clergyman!" she cried, examining him with surprise. "A humble clerk in holy orders, Ma’am," stammered the Antiquary. Now Caroline saw Marjolaine with difficulty supporting a decrepit old man in a very bad hat and a very dirty smock. Really quite a touching picture. "Who is this?" she asked, almost mollified. "A poor man, your Ladyship," said Marjolaine, with a pretty curtsey. "I’m teaching him his letters, your Ladyship." Another curtsey. Then she had an inspiration. She pointed to Doctor Sternroyd. "And this kind clergyman is going to give him some soup, your ladyship." When she had completed her third curtsey, she turned to Jack. "Come, good man. Lean on me."