Mahony ?" he asked, refreshing his memory with a glance at the pasteboard.

He spoke in the brusque tone of one accustomed to run through many applicants in the course of an hour.

"I understand that you make use of my sister Mary's name." And, as Mahony did not instantly respond, he snapped out: "My time is short, sir!" A tinge of colour mounted to Mahony's cheeks.

He answered with equal stiffness: "That is so.

I come from Mr.William Beamish's 'Family Hotel,' and am commissioned to bring you your sister's warm love and regards." John Turnham bowed; and waited.
"I have also to acquaint you with the fact," continued Mahony, gathering hauteur as he went, "that the day before yesterday I proposed marriage to your sister, and that she did me the honour of accepting me." "Ah, indeed!" said John Turnham, with a kind of ironic snort.