It irked the girl to see that stout, clumsy figure in the chair which had been filled by her grandmother's imperial form.

The very room seemed vulgarised by the change.
Fraeulein looked up with a surprised air when Mary and Hammond entered together, the girl smiling and happy.

She had expected that Mary would have left her ladyship's room in tears, and would have retired to her own apartment to hide her swollen eyelids and humiliated aspect.

But here she was, after the fiery ordeal of an interview with her offended grandmother, not in the least crestfallen.
'Are we not to have any tea to-night ?' asked Mary, looking round the room.
'I think you are unconscious of the progress of time, Lady Mary,' answered Fraeulein, stiffly.

'The tea has been brought in and taken out again.' 'Then it must be brought again, if Lady Mary wants some,' said Hammond, ringing the bell in the coolest manner.
Fraeulein felt that things were coming to a pretty pass, if Maulevrier's humble friend was going to give orders in the house.