‘All we want to know is,’ continued the sister, ’that she promises to be guided by you in this matter; and of course we feel quite sure that she will.’

‘If you are quite sure that must be sufficient for you.’

‘I really think you need not quarrel with your sister,’ said Lady Aylmer, ’because she is anxious as to the the respectability, I must say, for there is no other word, of a young lady whom you propose to make your wife.  I can assure you that I am very anxious myself very anxious indeed.’

Captain Aylmer made no answer to this, but he did not take the letter from his pocket.  He drank his tea in silence, and in silence sent up his cup to be refilled.  In silence also was it returned to him.  He ate his two eggs and his three bits of toast, according to his custom, and when he had finished, sat out his three or four minutes as was usual.  Then be got up to retire to his room, with the envelope still unbroken in his pocket.

‘You will go to church with us, I suppose?’ said Lady Aylmer.

’I won’t promise, ma’am; but if I do, I’ll walk across the park so that you need not wait for me.’

Then both the mother and sister knew that the Member for Perivale did not intend to go to church on that occasion.  To morning service Sir Anthony always went, the habits of Aylmer Park having in them more of adamant in reference to him than they had as regarded his son.

When the father, mother, and daughter returned, Captain Aylmer had read his letter, and bad, after doing so, received further tidings from Belton Castle further tidings which for the moment prevented the necessity of any reference to the letter, and almost drove it from his own thoughts.  When his mother entered the library he was standing before the fire with a scrap of paper in his hand.

‘Since you have been at church there has come a telegraphic message,’ he said.

‘What is it, Frederic?  Do not frighten me if you can avoid it!’

’You need not be frightened, ma’am, for you did not know him.  Mr Amedroz is dead.’

‘No!’ said Lady Aylmer, seating herself.

‘Dead!’ said Belinda, holding up her hands.

‘God bless my soul!’ said the baronet, who had now followed the ladies into the room.  ‘Dead!  Why, Fred, he was five years younger than I am!’

Then Captain Aylmer read the words of the message ’ Mr Amedroz died this morning at five o’clock.  I have sent word to the lawyer and to Mr Belton.’

‘Who does it come from?’ asked Lady Aylmer.

‘From Colonel Askerton.’

Lady Aylmer paused, and shook her head, and moved her foot uneasily upon the carpet.  The tidings, as far as they went, might be unexceptionable, but the source from whence they had come had evidently polluted them in her ladyship’s judgment.  Then she uttered a series of inter-ejaculations, expressions of mingled sorrow and anger.

‘There was no one else near her,’ said Captain Aylmer apologetically.