And Blanche had understood the "dreadful time" referred to the last weeks of his wife's life.

"I've been to the Burnabys' house a few times, and I've dined there twice--an infamously bad cook, but very good wine--you know the sort of thing ?" Remembering that remark, Blanche now asked herself why Lionel had included these tiresome, old-fashioned people in his party.

Then she told herself that it was doubtless because the niece, who lived with them, couldn't leave them to a solitary Christmas.
Another guest who was not likely to add much in the way of entertainment to the party was an enormously rich man called James Tapster.

Tapster was a cynical, rather unpleasant person, yet on one occasion he had helped Varick out of a disagreeable scrape.
If the host had had his way there would also have been in the party a certain Dr.Panton.But at the last moment he had had to "chuck." There was a hope, however, that he might be able to come after Christmas.

Dr.
Panton was also associated with the late Mrs.Varick.He had attended her during the last long weeks of her life.
Blanche Farrow's face unconsciously brightened as she remembered Sir Lyon Dilsford.