"Really? I didn't know that. I have never seen her, but I hear she is very pretty. Well, I'm sorry for her, brought up by that old curmudgeon of a grandmother and married out of the schoolroom to Wilmersley. She has never had much of a chance, has she?"
"There are no children as yet?"
"No."
"So that now that your father is dead, you are the immediate heir."
The door was flung open and Peter rushed into the room brandishing a paper.
"Oh, sir, it's come at last! I always felt it would!" He stuttered with excitement.
"What on earth is the matter with you?"
"I beg pardon, sir, but I am that hovercome! I heard them crying 'hextras,' so I went out and gets one—just casual-like. Little did I think what would be in it—and there it was."
"There was what?" Both men spoke at once, leaning eagerly forward.
"That Lord Wilmersley is dead; and so, my lord, I wish you much joy and a long life."