Opening then, she read as follows:--
Home to-morrow seven people Ingram.
If she frowned slightly, it was a mere approach of the fine eyebrows to
each other. She certainly smiled--wisely and meditatively, without showing
her teeth. She touched her chin--a rounded, full chin--with the telegram,
as she looked up at the maid who brought it.
"I must see Mrs. Benson about this. It's from Mr. Ingram."
"Yes, Miss Percival."
A friendly desire to share the puzzle was now manifest in the clear eyes.
"You see, Minnie, it might mean one of two things, and I am not quite sure
which of them it does mean." She looked again at the message with amused
interest; but one could not have said whether she was amused at her
interest, or interested in her amusement. That was part of Miss Percival's
charm, that she was always baffling you.
But Minnie, the maid, was demure and monotonous under the attack of
friendly desires. "No, Miss Percival," she said, and added, "I am sure I
couldn't say." She stood aside from the doorway as the young lady entered
the billiard-room, saying, as she went, "Ask Mrs. Benson to come to my
room, Minnie, please; and tell Frodsham I should like to see him directly
he comes to-morrow morning.
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