case. It was always cropping up and being mentioned as though it were something exceedingly meritorious.
"And in poor Addie's case of course there—well, there wasn't," proceeded Lady Evenswood with a sigh. "So Robert feels that it might be thought——"
"The people with consciences would be at him, I suppose," said Southend scornfully.
"But if the marriage came off——"
"Oh, I see!" cried the Imp.
"Then he would feel able to act. It would look merely like putting things back as they were, you see, Mina."
"Do you think he means the viscounty?" asked Southend.
"It would be so much more convenient. And they could have had an earldom once before if they'd liked."
"Oh, twice," corrected Southend confidently.
"I know it's said, but I don't believe it. You mean in 1816?"