Then her ladyship broke into a laugh.
"The creature's mad--I've long suspected it." And she meant to be taken literally; his many whimsicalities were explained to her at last.

He was, indeed, half-witted, as he now proved.
Mr.Templeton, recovering, smote the table angrily.

He thought he had good reason to lose his self-control on this occasion, though it was a matter of pride with him that he could always preserve an unruffled calm under the most trying circumstances.

"What is your name, sir ?" he demanded again.
"You are hard of hearing, sir, I think.

I am Lord Ostermore.