Here was no private interview. The whole of her adherents surrounded Jenny in the big drawing-room. Lady Sarah was announced by Loft--himself highly conscious of the ceremonial nature of the occasion. With elaborate courtesy Jenny walked to the door to meet her, spoke her greeting, and led her to one of two large arm-chairs placed close to one another; it was really like the meeting of a pair of monarchs, lately at war but bound to appear unconscious of the disagreeable incidents of the strife. Now peace was to be patched up by marriage. Margaret was called from her place in the surrounding circle. She came--and with courage. We had, I fear, deliberately worked her up to the resolution of being, from the very beginning, not afraid of Lady Sarah--pointing out that any signs of fear now would foreshadow and entail slavery for life. "You'll get on much better if you stand up for yourself," Amyas himself assured her. Margaret stood, awaiting welcome. Lady Sarah put on her eyeglasses, made a careful inspection of her prospective niece, but offered no comment whatever on her appearance. She dropped the glasses from her nose again, and remarked, "I'm glad to become acquainted with you. I'm sure that you intend to make Amyas a good wife and to do your duty in your new station. Kiss me!" She turned her cheek to Margaret, who achieved the salute with grace but, it must be confessed, without enthusiasm. Lady Sarah did not return it. "There will be a great deal to do and think of at Oxley," she pursued, "but I shall be very glad to assist you in every way." "But there'll be nothing to do, Lady Sarah. Jenny's doing everything--every single thing." "I'm going to give them a few sticks to start housekeeping on," said Jenny, with a lurking smile. "Old houses have a style of their own; one learns it by living in one," Lady Sarah observed. Oxley was old--so was Fillingford Manor. Breysgate was hardly middle-aged in comparison. Lady Sarah cast a glance round its regrettable newness; Jenny's refurnishing had not availed to obliterate all traces of that. "I'm not following this model," said Jenny. "I'm taking the best advice--though I'm sure Margaret will be very glad of anything you can tell her." "Of course I shall, Lady Sarah. But the people Jenny's going to are really the best people in the trade--they know all about it." "When you have seen the Manor--" Lady Sarah began impressively, but Lacey--who had been, the moment before, in lamentable difficulties between a yawn and a smile--cut in: "Ah, now when shall she come and see the Manor?" Lady Sarah was prepared with an invitation for the next day: that was another of the forms, to be carried out precisely, as Fillingford had undertaken. She turned to Jenny. "You've seen it, of course, Miss Driver?" Jenny nodded serenely. Amyas flushed again--his fair skin betrayed every passing feeling--as he said, "We shall be delighted if we can induce Miss Driver to come, all the same."