Hobbema, which you please."

Felix made a second sauntering attempt to reach the picture-gallery.
Arrived within a few steps of the entrance, he stopped again, attracted
by an open cabinet of Italian workmanship, filled with rare old china.
Being nothing if not a cultivated amateur, Mr. Sweetsir paused to pay
his passing tribute of admiration before the contents of the cabinet.
"Charming! charming!" he said to himself, with his head twisted
appreciatively a little on one side. Lady Lydiard and Moody left him in
undisturbed enjoyment of the china, and went on with the business of the
bank-note.

"Ought we to take the number of the note, in case of accident?" asked
her Ladyship.

Moody produced a slip of paper from his waistcoat pocket. "I took the
number, my Lady, at the bank."

"Very well. You keep it. While I am writing my letter, suppose you
direct the envelope. What is the clergyman's name?"

Moody mentioned the name and directed the envelope. Felix, happening to
look round at Lady Lydiard and the steward while they were both engaged
in writing, returned suddenly to the table as if he had been struck by a
new idea.

"Is there a third pen?" he asked. "Why shouldn't I write a line at once
to Hardyman, aunt? The sooner you have his opinion about Tommie the
better--don't you think so?"