And, lastly, there was, as chief guest, the celebrated Thomas Sandys.

It should have been a triumph of a tea-party, and yet it was not.

Mrs.McLean could not tell why.
Grizel could have told why; her eyes told why every time they rested scornfully on Mr.Sandys.It was he, they said, who was spoiling the entertainment, and for the pitiful reason that the company were not making enough of him.

He was the guest of the evening, but they were talking admiringly of another man, and so he sulked.

Oh, how she scorned Tommy! That other man was, of course, the unknown Captain Ure, gallant rescuer of boys, hero of all who admire brave actions except the jealous Sandys.