-almost as
though they were the bottled souls of departed buccaneers grown somehow
virginal. She came with Lady Beach-Mandarin quietly, almost humorously,
and yet it was as if the pirate glittered dimly visible through the
polished glass of her erect exterior.

"Here we are!" said Lady Beach-Mandarin, staring astonished at the once
familiar porch. "Now for it!"

She descended and assailed the bell herself and Miss Garradice stood
beside her with the light of combat in her eyes and glasses and cheeks.

"Shall I offer to take her for a drive!"

"_Let's_," said Miss Garradice in an enthusiastic whisper. "_Right away!
For ever._"

"_I will_," said Lady Beach-Mandarin, and nodded desperately.

She was on the point of ringing again when Snagsby appeared.

He stood with a large obstructiveness in the doorway. "Lady 'Arman, my
lady" he said with a well-trained deliberation, "is not a Tome."

"Not at home!" queried Lady Beach-Mandarin.

"Not a Tome, my lady," repeated Snagsby invincibly.

"But--when will she be at home?"

"I can't say, my lady."

"Is Sir Isaac----?"

"Sir Isaac, my lady, is not a Tome. Nobody is a Tome, my lady."

"But we've come from London!" said Lady Beach-Mandarin.

"I'm very sorry, my lady."

"You see, I want my friend to see this house and garden."

Snagsby was visibly disconcerted. "I 'ave no instructions, my lady," he
tried.

"Oh, but Lady Harman would never object----"

Snagsby's confusion increased. He seemed to be wanting to keep his face
to the visitors and at the same time glance over his shoulder. "I will,"
he considered, "I will enquire, my lady." He backed a little, and seemed
inclined to close the door upon them. Lady Beach-Mandarin was too quick
for him. She got herself well into the open doorway. "And of whom are
you going to enquire?"

A large distress betrayed itself in Snagsby's eye. "The 'ousekeeper," he
attempted. "It falls to the 'ousekeeper, my lady."

Lady Beach-Mandarin turned her face to Miss Garradice, shining in
support. "Stuff and nonsense," she said, "of course we shall come in."
And with a wonderful movement that was at once powerful and perfectly
lady-like this intrepid woman--"butted" is not the word--collided
herself with Snagsby and hurled him backward into the hall. Miss
Garradice followed closely behind and at once extended herself in open
order on Lady Beach-Mandarin's right. "Go and enquire," said Lady
Beach-Mandarin with a sweeping gesture of