himself. See! 'Twas thus."

What pantomime might have followed did not appear, for at that moment
the butler appeared at the door with an admonitory cough. "If you
please, your Ladyship," said he, "there are two persons waiting.
They--that is to say, he--one of them, asks for admission to your
Ladyship."

"What name does he offer, James?"

"Mr. John Law of Lauriston, your Ladyship, is the name he sends. He
says, if your Ladyship please, that he has brought with him something
which your Ladyship left behind, if your Ladyship please."

Lady Catharine and Mary Connynge had both arisen and drawn together, and
they now turned each a swift half glance upon the other.

"Are these gentlemen waiting without the street door?" asked Lady
Catharine.

"No, your Ladyship. That is to say, before I thought, I allowed the tall
one to come within."

"Oh, well then, you see, Mary Connynge," replied Lady Catharine, with
the pink flush rising in her cheek, "it were rude to turn them now from
our door, since they have already been admitted."

"Yes, we will send to the library for your brother," said Mary Connynge,
dimpling at the corners of her mouth.