Surely she ought to do so. That was his opinion when
he wrote to his sister. When he heard afterwards that she intended
to be there, he could only suppose that she was prepared to accept
the circumstances as they stood.
CHAPTER 52
Miss Boncassen Tells the Truth
On the twentieth of the month all the guests came rattling in at
Matching one after the another. The Boncassens were the first, but
Lady Mabel with Miss Cassewary followed them quickly. Then came
the Finns, and with them Barrington Erle. Lord Silverbridge was
the last. He arrived by a train which reached the station at 7pm,
and only entered the house as his father was asking Miss Boncassen
into the dining-room. He dressed himself in ten minutes, and
joined the party as they had finished their fish. 'I am awfully
sorry,' he said, rushing up to his father, 'but I thought that I
should just hit it.'
'There is no occasion for awe,' said the Duke, 'as sufficiency of
dinner is left. But how you should have hit it, as you say,--seeing
that the train is not due at Bridstock till 7.
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