Page:Ethel Churchill 2.pdf/299

Rh "There is nothing relative to indisposition in the first page," said he, after taking time enough, as his wife thought, to have read twenty letters. "But Sir Jasper has a great talent for epistolary correspondence—to be sure he has nothing else to do; but my time is of great importance. Perhaps your ladyship will have the kindness to point out the passage referring to his illness." "Read the end," said Henrietta, more feverish, and more irritable every moment.

Lord Marchmont slowly turned over the pages, smoothing them as he went along. "I cannot say much for your ladyship's care of Sir Jasper's letters." "Never mind; only, do read it," interrupted the countess. Again his lordship began his long and deliberate perusal, while Henrietta watched the slow motion of his eyes with a degree of impetuosity she could scarcely repress. "Why, surely," cried she, "you are not going to read it again!" "Indeed, I need to do so; for I cannot