lass; but what they lacked in breeding they made up for in arrogance;
and Lady Martin had early determined that if she wished to become a
power in the neighbourhood she must assert herself on every occasion.
Also, she had intended to patronize the young mistress of Greenriver;
and to find Mrs. Anstey, the only person in the district of whom she
stood in awe, here before her had disturbed her mean little soul.

Barry, quick as a woman in some matters, read her mind accurately, and
immediately ranged himself on the side of his embarrassed hostess.

"Are those shrimps, Mrs. Rose? And you never asked me to have any!"

He flashed a laughing glance at her, and drew the dish towards him,
resolved that he at least would not shirk his duty.

"I ... I'm sorry ... I forgot," said Toni lamely. "But ... please don't
have any if you'd rather not."

"It seems hardly the hour for these--delicacies," said Lady Martin,
waving haughtily aside the dish Barry offered her mischievously. "In
sauce--or _pates_--yes ... but now--no!"

"Oh, you're making quite a mistake," said Barry coolly, helping himself
as he spoke. "They are delicious with bread and butter. Olive, you've
got some? That's right. Mrs. Anstey, can't I persuade you to try a few?"

Mrs. Anstey, thoroughly understanding the look of appeal which Barry's
laughing eyes held, smiled very kindly.

"My dear boy, I never eat much tea, as you know--but still--if you'll
prepare me one or two ... they really look so tempting...."

To her dying day Lady Martin would never forget that afternoon. There
sat Mrs. Anstey, whom everyone knew to be related to half the "good"
families of England, eating shrimps, shelled for her by Barry, with an
air of enjoyment which was in itself an offence. There, too, was Miss
Lynn, niece to an earl, doing likewise, being assisted in the mysteries
of divorcing the creatures from their shells by the blowsy, florid young
woman beside her, with whom she was soon on excellent terms. And there,
also, was Barry Raymond, a young man for whom everyone had a good word,
laughing and joking with his hostess as though they were old friends,
while that same hostess lost her frightened look beneath his geniality
and did the honours of the tea-tray very prettily.

Only Lady Martin and her daughter were out of it; and when she found
that her cold looks and biting speeches made no impression on
anyone--for even Fanny was at ease now with these delightful people--her
la