Page:The life and letters of Sir John Henniker Heaton bt. (IA lifelettersofsi00port).pdf/147

 would br-reak my heart," an Italian lady gave her views prettily.

"Of course I should open it, and so would every one else!" an Englishwoman said.

"might send the letter back, but I guess I'd use a steam-kettle first," an American girl said.

Father Bernard Vaughan, who was also present, was petitioned to preach a sermon on the right thing to do under the circumstances.

Father Bernard Vaughan was to be met at Lady Doughty's luncheon-parties in Buckingham Gate, where the conversation was always full of wit and good-humoured badinage. One day there was a young guardsman present who was obliged to leave early in order to catch a train down to the country. He was greatly alarmed at the possibility of losing the train and bade farewell to his hostess in much perturbation. Father Bernard Vaughan turned to Lady Doughty:

"I hope that young man is as concerned for Eternity as he is for Time."

Mr Marconi was one of H. H.'s closest friends, and they saw each other almost daily for many years. H. H. stood as godfather to pretty little Degnia Marconi, and was a great admirer of his fairy-like little goddaughter.

Some years ago H. H. and Marconi were dining at the Savage Club, and were greatly entertained by some "imitations" of well-known actors given by one of the members. In particular they were struck by the perfect imitation of Sir Herbert Tree as Richard III, who in his well known fits of absent-mindedness occasionally passed his hand across his brow, inquiring: "What play is this? Ah, yes, 'Richard III'; ah, thank you."