From the nature of these preparations, I became quite aware that my lady intended to do honour to her expected visitors.

Indeed, Lady Ludlow never forgave by halves, as I have known some people do.

Whoever was coming as a visitor to my lady, peeress, or poor nameless girl, there was a certain amount of preparation required in order to do them fitting honour.

I do not mean to say that the preparation was of the same degree of importance in each case.

I dare say, if a peeress had come to visit us at the Hall, the covers would have been taken off the furniture in the white drawing-room (they never were uncovered all the time I stayed at the Hall), because my lady would wish to offer her the ornaments and luxuries which this grand visitor (who never came--I wish she had! I did so want to see that furniture uncovered!) was accustomed to at home, and to present them to her in the best order in which my lady could.