It had been three days past the date Mr. Makepeace Avery had given for his arrival and Louisa was becoming agitated. Laying out the tea service and making a fresh tray of cakes only to wait until the fire was low in the grate.
There was little news in the papers about the storms in Nepal, they were more interested in the situation in France. She knew it was silly of her to continue to lay out tea every afternoon but she didn't want to be caught unaware or make Mr. Makepeace think she ran an undisciplined household. He had been so kind to her, sending her gifts of tea from his out posts while they wrote one and another about his lodgings. She did not want him to think she'd forgotten about that kindness.