SmithandJones——following，withtheotherguestsatWindygates，inLadyLundie’strain——exchangedtheiropinionsonthemeritsofthehouse，standingonaterraceattheback，nearaflightofstepswhichleddownintothegarden。Theyformedthevan-guardofthevisitors，appearingbytwosandthreesfromthereceptionrooms，andallbentongoingtoseetheswansbeforetheamusementsofthedaybegan。JuliusDelamayncameoutwiththefirstdetachment，recruitedSmithandJones，andotherwanderingbachelors，bytheway，andsetforthforthelake。Anintervalofaminuteortwopassed——andtheterraceremainedempty。Thentwoladies——attheheadofaseconddetachmentofvisitors——appearedundertheoldstoneporchwhichshelteredtheentranceonthatsideofthehouse。Oneoftheladieswasamodest，pleasantlittleperson，verysimplydressed。Theotherwasofthetallandformidabletypeof“finewomen，“cladindazzlingarray。ThefirstwasMrs。JuliusDelamayn。ThesecondwasLadyLundie。
“Exquisite!“criedherladyship，surveyingtheoldmullionedwindowsofthehouse，withtheirframingofcreepers，andthegrandstonebuttressesprojectingatintervalsfromthewall，eachwithitsbrightlittlecircleofflowersbloomingroundthebase。“IamreallygrievedthatSirPatrickshouldhavemissedthis。“
“Ithinkyousaid，LadyLundie，thatSirPatrickhadbeencalledtoEdinburghbyfamilybusiness？“
“Business，Mrs。Delamayn，whichisanythingbutagreeabletome，asonememberofthefamily。Ithasalteredallmyarrangementsfortheautumn。Mystep-daughteristobemarriednextweek。“
“Isitsonearasthat？MayIaskwhothegentlemanis？“