She had already met him at Eton and at Oxford.
"Another expert!" said Lady Barnes with a shrug.
The pair passed the window, absorbed apparently in conversation.

Mrs.
French escaped.

Lady Barnes was left to discontent and solitude.
But the solitude was not for long.
When Elsie French descended for tea, an hour later, she was aware, from a considerable distance, of people and tumult in the drawing-room.
Daphne's soprano voice--agreeable, but making its mark always, like its owner--could be heard running on.

The young mistress of the house seemed to be admonishing, instructing, someone.

Could it be her mother-in-law?
When Elsie entered, Daphne was walking up and down in excitement.
"One cannot really live with bad pictures because they happen to be one's ancestors! We won't do them any harm, mamma! of course not.