DORA COMES AND SEES The call by the Bannisters at Cobhurst was made as planned.

Had storm or sudden war prevented Mrs.Bannister and Herbert from going, Dora would have gone by herself.

She did not appear to be in her usual state of health that day, and Mrs.Bannister, noticing this, and attributing it to Dora's great fondness for fruit at this season and neglect of more solid food, had suggested that perhaps it might be well for her not to take a long drive that afternoon.

But this remark was added to the thousand suggestions made by the elder lady and not accepted by the younger.
Miriam was in the great hall when the Bannister family drove up, and she greeted her visitors with a well-poised affability which rather surprised Mrs.Bannister.Dora instantly noticed that she was better dressed than she had yet seen her.
When they were seated in the parlor, Mrs.Bannister announced that their call was intended to include Mrs.Drane and her daughter, and Herbert hoped that this time he would be able to see Mr.Haverley.
Mrs.Drane was sent for, but Miriam did not know where her brother and Miss Drane should be looked for.

She had seen them walk by the back piazza, but did not notice in what direction they had gone.