ager,
I'll bet you something that he'd jump at the invitation."

Annesley refused the wager, but she agreed that it would be nice to have
all three of the Smiths.

Constance was supposed to be hostess in her own house, though Knight was
responsible for the financial side of the Easter plan, and it was for her
to ask the guests, even those chosen by the Nelson Smiths. Remembering
Madalena's hint that Nelson might refuse to add Ruthven Smith's name to
the list, Connie gave Annesley no time to consult her husband. While her
companion was being fitted for a frock at Harrod's, Lady Annesley-Seton
availed herself of the chance to write two letters, one to Mrs. Smith,
inviting her and the Archdeacon; another to Ruthven, saying that she
wrote at "dear Anne's express wish" as well as her own.

She added cordially on her own account:

I have heard so much of you from Anne that it would be a pleasure
to show you the Valley House treasures, which, I think, you would
appreciate. Do come!

She stamped her letters and slipped them into the box at the Harrod post
office before going to see if Anne were ready. Nothing more was said
about the invitation for the Smiths until that evening at dinner, when it
occurred to Annesley to mention it. Knight had come home late, just in
time to dress, and she had not thought to speak of the house party.

"Oh, Knight," she said, "Cousin Constance proposed asking the Archdeacon
and his wife and Mr. Ruthven Smith. I'm sure the Archdeacon can't come,
but Mr. Ruthven might perhaps----"

"Oh, I don't think I'd have him with a lot of people he doesn't know and
who don't want to know him," Knight vetoed the idea. "He's clever in his
way, but it's not a social way. Among the lot we're going to have he'd be
like an owl among peacocks."

"But he'd love their jewels," Annesley persevered. "They'll bring some of
the most beautiful ones in England. You said so yourself."

"I'm thinking more of their pleasure than his," said Knight. "He's deaf
as well as dull. The peacocks are invited already, and the owl isn't,
so----"

"I'm afraid he is! When Anne agreed that she'd like to have the Smiths I
wrote at once; and by this time they've got my letters," Constance broke
in with a pretence at penitence. "Oh, dear, I have put my foot into it
with the best intentions! What _shall_ we do?"

"Nothing," said Knight. "If they've been asked, they must come if they
want to. I doubt if they will."

That doubt