Ismene directed everyone to seats at the table. Only Remiel, Lysandra, and Lady Collingwood had seats, as neither Alexander Collingwood nor Simon Ferry was present. But as soon as they had sat down, Ismene sat down across from Lysandra.

"Since Lysandra's father is not present," she explained, "I will sit in his place."

"That will be fine," Lady Collingwood answered. Turning her attention to Lysandra, she asked, "Lady Ferry, I heard that you were ill last week and could not come ...