The man went.
“No antipathy to cats, I hope!” he added, turning to Richard.
“None, sir,” answered Richard gravely.
“That's good! Then you won't lie taken aback!”
In a few minutes—she seldom made her husband wait—lady Ann sailed into the room, the servant closing the door so deftly behind her, that it seemed without moving to have given passage to an angelic presence.
The two younger men rose.
“Mr. Wingfold you know, my lady!” said her husband.
“I have not the pleasure,” answered lady Ann, with a slight motion of the hard bud at the top of her long stalk.
“Ah, I thought you did!—The Reverend Mr. Wingfold, lady Ann!—My wife, Mr. Wingfold!—The other gentleman, lady Ann.—”
He paused. Lady Ann turned her eyes slowly on Richard. Wingfold saw a slight, just perceptible start, and a settling of the jaws.