Her ladyship decided to carry on the social farce a few minutes longer, instead of offering the explanation which all were awaiting.
"We women," she said, "were not so easily deterred from our social duties." At this moment the door opened, and there entered a complex odour of hairwash and perfumery--a collar which must have been nearly related to a cuff, and a pair of tight patent-leather boots, all attached to and somewhat overpowering a young man.
"Ah, my dear Mr.Grubb," said Lady Cantourne, "how good of you to call so soon! You will have some tea.

Millicent, give Mr.Grubb some tea." "Not too strong," added Sir John, apparently to himself, under the cover of Mr.Grubb's somewhat scrappy greeting.
Then Lady Cantourne went to the conservatory and left Sir John and Jocelyn at the end of the long room together.

There is nothing like a woman's instinct.

Jocelyn spoke at once.
"Lady Cantourne," she said, "kindly asked me to meet you to-day on purpose.

I live at Loango; I know your son, Mr.Meredith, and we thought you might like to hear about him and about Loango." She knew that with a man like Sir John any indirect approach to the subject would be courting failure.