I am quite prepared." With that intimation her ladyship threw herself back in her chair, with her elbows on the arms, and her fingers joined at the tips, as if she was receiving a deputation.

"Yes ?" she said, interrogatively.

Sir Patrick paid a private tribute of pity to his late brother's memory, and entered on his business.
"We won't call it a painful matter," he began.

"Let us say it's a matter of domestic anxiety.

Blanche--" Lady Lundie emitted a faint scream, and put her hand over her eyes.
"_Must_ you ?" cried her ladyship, in a tone of touching remonstrance.
"Oh, Sir Patrick, _must_ you ?" "Yes.