“Did you read that paragraph, mamma?” inquired Lady Corisande of the duchess, in a tone of some seriousness.
“I did.”
“And what did you think of it?”
“It filled me with so much amazement that I have hardly begun to think.”
“And Bertram never gave a hint of such things!”
“Let us believe they are quite untrue.”
“I hope Bertram is in no danger,” said his sister.
“Heaven forbid!” exclaimed the mother, with unaffected alarm.
“I know not how it is,” said Lady Corisande, “but I frequently feel that some great woe is hanging over our country.”
“You must dismiss such thoughts, my child; they are fanciful.”