To obviate this difficulty, Mrs.Thursby, with the ingenuity of her sex, had at one time introduced Mr.and Mrs.Alwynn as "our rector," and "our rector's wife," thus denying them their name altogether, for fear lest its connection with Lord Polesworth should be remembered, and the fact that Mr.Alwynn was his brother, and consequently an honorable, should transpire.
This peculiarity of etiquette entirely escaped Mr.Alwynn, but aroused feelings in the breast of his wife which might have brought about one of those deeply rooted feuds which so often exist between the squire's and clergyman's families, if it had not been for the timely and serious illness in which Mrs.Thursby lost her health, and the principal part of the other subject of disagreement--her hair.
Then Queen Elizabeth and the honorable were alike forgotten.

With her own hands Mrs.Alwynn made a certain jelly, which Mrs.Thursby praised in the highest manner, saying she only wished that it had been the habit in _her_ family to learn to do anything so useful.

Mrs.Thursby's new gowns were no longer kept a secret from Mrs.Alwynn, to be suddenly sprung upon her at a garden-party, when, possibly in an old garment herself, she was least able to bear the shock.

By-gones were by-gones, and, greatly to the relief of the two husbands, their respective wives made up their differences.
"And a very pleasant afternoon it has been," said Mrs.Alwynn, when the Thursbys and Dare, who had been loath to go, had taken their departure.
"Mrs.Thursby and Mabel, and Mrs.Smith and Mr.Dare.Four to tea.

Quite a little party, wasn't it, Ruth?
And so informal and nice; and the buns came in as naturally as possible, which no one heard me whisper to James for.