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 than his Britannic Majesty's former Ambassador to Persia.

Not a living soul saw the glance that may or may not have passed between them.

"A great deal of marrying and giving in marriage these days, apparently," mused Mr. Everard Vandeleur.

"Your turn next, Van," said a Privileged Individual, whose brilliant sally, of course, set the table in a roar.

"Married a wife, has he?" mused Mr. Everard Vandeleur. "Good for the state, although not always good for the state of Denmark. And she has brought him to this. Well, well."

"It is revenge, of course," said S. of P.

A word so sinister caused the whole table to cock its ears.

"Revenge, Lord Shelmerdine!" said Caledonia's daughter.

"She is not received in the Family at present, and we get this stab in the back in consequence."

Two persons round the opposition mahogany were as grim as griffins. One was Father and the other was Mother. For the rest of the company it would be unsafe to answer.

"Why isn't she received in the Family?" said Caledonia's daughter, as blunt a woman as you would find in a long day's journey.