"It must be told, my lord."
"What must be told?"
"The Marchioness!"
"What do you mean, sir? What have you got to say?"
"Would you wish to send for her ladyship?"
"No; I wouldn't. I won't send for her ladyship at all. What has her ladyship got to do with it?"
"She promised."
"Promised what?"
"Promised the living! She undertook that I should have Appleslocombe the moment it became vacant."
"I don't believe a word of it."