"This," she said, "is from my sister-in-law, Mrs. Algernon Foster."

"A daughter of Lord Doldrums, wasn't she?"

"Yes. 'My dear Dorothea,--I have heard your news. I do hope it
will turn out happily. I believe that any woman who
conscientiously does her duty can find happiness in married life.
Her husband and children occupy all her time and all her
thoughts, and if she can look for few of the lighter pleasures of
life, she has at least the knowledge that she is of use in the
world. Please accept the accompanying volumes (it's Browning) as
a small--' I say, Mr. Carter, do you think it's really like
that?"

"There is still time to draw back," I observed.

"Oh, don't be silly. Here, this is my brother Tom's. 'Dear
Dol,--I thought Mickleham rather an ass when I met him, but I
dare say you know best. What's his place like? Does he take a
moor? I thought I read that he kept a yacht. Does he? Give him
my love and a kiss. Good luck, old girl. Tom. P.S.--I'm glad
it's not me, you know.'"

"A disgusting letter," I observed.

"Not at all," said Miss Dolly, dimpling. "It's just like dear
old Tom. Listen to grandpapa's. 'My dear Granddaughter,--The
alliance' (I rather like it's being called an alliance, Mr.
Carter. It sounds like the Royal Family, doesn't it?) 'you are
about to contract is in all respects a suitable one. I send you