On the other hand, if this was a hostile visit, the visitor could not be treated with too much consideration.

And so the servant was dismissed with word that her mistress would not be a moment; nor was Rachel very many.

She glanced in a glass, but that was all; she might have been tidier, but not easily more animated, confident, and alert.

She had reached the landing when she returned and collected all the cards which she had been trying to arrange; they made quite a pack; and Rachel laughed as she took them downstairs with her.
Mrs.Venables sat in solitary stiffness on the highest chair she had been able to find; neither Sybil nor Vera was in attendance; a tableful of light literature was at her elbow, but Mrs.Venables sat with folded hands.
"This is too good of you!" cried Rachel, greeting her in a manner redeemed from hypocrisy by a touch of irresistible irony.

"You know my inexperience, and you have come to tell me things, have you not?
You could not have come at a better time.