Lady Grenside's hospitable instincts were unquenchable.

The small house-party to which her brother had reluctantly consented had grown by odd couples until the house was more than half full.

Twenty-two people sat down to dinner that night.

For the first time in his life, Mr.
Foley interfered with the arrangement of the table.

He sought his sister out just as the dressing-bell rang.
"My dear Catharine," he asked, a little reprovingly, "was it necessary to have such a crowd here--at any rate until after Monday?
You know that I don't interfere as a rule, but there were special reasons why I wanted to be as quiet as possible until after Maraton had left." Lady Grenside's expression was delightfully apologetic.