"Since you have been at church there has come a telegraphic message," he said.
"What is it, Frederic? Do not frighten me,—if you can avoid it!"
"You need not be frightened, ma'am, for you did not know him. Mr. Amedroz is dead."
"No!" said Lady Aylmer, seating herself.
"Dead!" said Belinda, holding up her hands.
"God bless my soul!" said the baronet, who had now followed the ladies into the room. "Dead! Why, Fred, he was five years younger than I am!"
Then Captain Aylmer read the words of the message:—"Mr. Amedroz died this morning at five o'clock. I have sent word to the lawyer and to Mr. Belton."
"Who does it come from?" asked Lady Aylmer.
"From Colonel Askerton."
Lady Aylmer paused, and shook her head, and moved her foot uneasily upon the carpet. The tidings, as far as they went, might be unexceptionable, but the source from whence they had come had evidently polluted them in her ladyship's judgment. Then she uttered a series of inter-ejaculations, expressions of mingled sorrow and anger.