“I was actually on my way out to visit him, but one thing or another occurred to delay me!”
“How unfortunate, my Lord; and, really, his anxieties about you were unceasing. You have not to be told of the importance he attached to the title and name of your house! He was always saying, 'If Beecher were only married! If we could find a wife for Annesley—'”
“A wife!” exclaimed the other, suddenly.
“Yes, my Lord, a wife; excellent thing, marriage,—capital thing,—great fun.”
“But it's done, sir; I 'm booked!” cried Beecher, vehemently. “I was married on Sunday last.”
“Wish your Lordship every imaginable joy. I offer my felicitations on the happy event Is the Viscountess here?”
“She is here,” said Beecher, with a dogged sternness.
“May I ask the name of Lady Lackington's family?” said Twining, obsequiously.
“Name,—name of her family!” echoed Beecher, with a scornful laugh. Then, suddenly stopping, he drew his arm within Twining's, and in the low voice of a secret confidence, said, “You know the world as well as most men,—a deal better, I should say; now, can you tell me, is a marriage of this kind binding?”
“What kind of marriage do you mean?”