Miss Richardson left after luncheon to return to the country.
She had done her duty in bringing Verena to London, but now her former pupil was so safely in the hands of Lady Bingley, she wished to return to her cottage, her dogs and her cats.
“I have invited all my guests for four o’clock,” Lady Bingley told Verena, when Miss Richardson had departed. “I have sent out quite a number of extra invitations informing my friends of your arrival here and hoping that they will honour us today and make your acquaintance.”
“How kind you are,” Verena exclaimed.
“I went right through my address book yesterday,” Lady Bingley continued, “and found several friends who have daughters about your age and a number who have sons. But you know as well as I do, my dear, it is the older women who can take yo
