In the passage
outside the drawing-room was Hedges, evidently waiting for his master,
and with a budget to unfold.
"When did she come, Hedges?"
"My lord, it was only a few days after your marriage," replied Hedges.
"She arrived in the most outrageous tantrum--if I shall not offend your
lordship by saying so--and has been here ever since, completely upsetting
everything."
"What was her tantrum about?"
"On account of your having married again, my lord. She stood in the hall
for five minutes when she got here, saying the most audacious things
against your lordship and Miss Ashton--I mean my lady," corrected Hedges.
"The old hag!" muttered Lord Hartledon.
"I think she's insane at times, my lord; I really do. The fits of passion
she flies into are quite bad enough for insanity. The housekeeper told me
this morning she feared she would be capable of striking my lady, when
she first saw her. I'm afraid, too, she has been schooling the children."
Lord Hartledon strode into the drawing-room. There, as large as
life--and a great deal larger than most lives--was the dowager-countess.
Fortunately she had not heard the arrival: in fact, she had dropped into
a doze whilst waiting for it; and she started up when Val entered.
"How are you, ma'am?" asked he. "You have taken me by surprise."
"Not half as much as your wicked letter took me," screamed the old
dowager.
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