The doctor opened a neat mahogany box.
"The tools of my trade," he continued; "I'm going to sew up his lordship's throat." Shuddering as she heard those words, Iris hurried out of the room.

Fanny followed her mistress up the stairs.

In her own very different way, the maid was as impenetrably composed as Mr.
Vimpany himself.

"There was a second letter found in the gentleman's pocket, Miss," she said.

"Will you excuse my reminding you that you have not read it yet." Iris read the lines that follow: "Forgive me, my dear, for the last time.