III
Miss Welwyn and Mrs. Carmyle descended the stairs together, Sylviastalking majestically in the rear. Tilly wore a short navy-blue skirtand a soft silk shirt belonging to Connie--garments which, owing to themysterious readiness with which the female form accommodates itself tothe wardrobe of its neighbour, fitted her to perfection. In this case,however, the miracle was less noticeable than usual, for the two girlswere of much the same height and build, their chief points of differencebeing their hair and eyes.
In reply to her swain's tender enquiries, Miss Welwyn intimated that shewas now warm and dry.
"In that case," replied Dicky, "come and sit up to the tea-table andtake some nourishment."
On her way to her tea Tilly was met by Mr. Mainwaring senior, withoutstretched hands.
"My dear young lady," he said, with shy cordiality, "we owe you a mosthumble apology."
Tilly, flushing prettily, asked why.
"For our extremely vague greeting to you just now," explained her host."You see"--he clapped Dicky fondly on the shoulder--"this intellectualson of ours forgot to post the letter announcing your--telling us aboutyou. We have only just heard the news. Now that we have you, mydear"--the old gentleman's eyes beamed affectionately--"we are going tomake much of you!"
"Oh, thank you! You _are_ kind!" cried Tilly impulsively; and smiledgratefully upon her future father-in-law. His were the first officialwords of welcome that she had received.
"Good old Dad!" said Dicky.
Meanwhile Lady Adela had come to the conclusion that her male belongingswere overdoing it.
"Do you take sugar, Miss Welwyn?" she enquired loudly.
"Yes, please," said Tilly, still engaged in smiling affectionately uponthe Mainwarings, _pere et fils_.
"I wonder now," continued Mr. Mainwaring, "if you are in any way relatedto an old friend of mine--or perhaps I should say acquaintance, for hemoved on a higher plane than I--Lucius Welwyn? I was at school with himmore than forty years ago, and also at Cambridge."
"Lucius Welwyn?" cried Tilly, her eyes glowing. "He is my Daddy--myfather!"
"You don't say so? Capital!" Abel Mainwaring turned to his wife."Adela, do you hear that? Miss Welwyn and I have established a bond ofunion already. Her father was actually at school with me."
Lady Adela flatly declined to join in the general enthusiasm.
"Are you sure, dear?" was all she said. "There might be two."
Mr. Mainwaring pointed out, with truth, that Lucius Welwyn was anuncommon name. "But we can easily make sure," he said. "The LuciusWelwyn whom I remember was a Fellow of his College. Did your father--"
"Yes, Dad was a Fellow of his College for some years," said Tilly. "Ithink I will come a little farther from the fire now, if you don't mind.I am quite warm."
"Come and sit here by me, dear Miss Welwyn," said Lady Adela with suddenaffability. "I want to have a cosy little chat with you. Dick, you arevery wet and muddy. Go and change."
"All right," said Dicky obediently.
As he left the hall he said something in a low voice to Mrs. Carmyle.That small champion of the oppressed nodded comprehendingly, andestablished herself at a writing-table under the curtained window.
"Abel," enquired Lady Adela, in pursuance of her policy of once moreclearing the decks for action, "what have you done with Mr. Rylands?"
"I quite forgot him," confessed Mr. Mainwaring. "I was so much occupiedwith Miss Welwyn. I fear he is still in the smoking-room."
"Go and let him out--by the side door," commanded Lady Adela.
"Come on, Dad!" said Dicky.
Father and son disappeared, arm-in-arm; Lady Adela and Sylvia closed inupon the flinching Miss Welwyn; and Mrs. Carmyle, taking up her pen,addressed herself to the composition of an epistle to her lord andmaster.
Lady Adela looked round, and remarked in solicitous tones:--
"Constance, dear, you have chosen a very draughty corner for yourself."
"I have put fresh note-paper in your bedroom, Connie," added Sylviacordially.
"I'm as right as rain, thanks," said Connie. "Just scribbling a line toBill."
And she began:--
_I have arrived quite safely, old man, and the most tremendouslyexciting things are happening here. Listen!_