It was the first time he had ever called her by her Christian name, and there was something exceedingly formal in the way he uttered it now.

Moreover, no one ever called her anything but Nan.

For some reason she was hotly indignant at this unfamiliar mode of address.
It increased her anger against him tenfold.
"Take it and read it!" she reiterated, with stubborn persistence.

"I wish you to do so!" The first carriage-load of guests was approaching the house as she spoke.
Cradock paused for a single instant as if irresolute, then, without more ado, he took her at her word.

He smoothed the paper out without the smallest change of countenance, and read it, while she stood quivering with impotent fury by his side.