Haymore, Yorkshire.
“Excuse me!” he said, and stepped quickly to the furthest window lest the sick man should see the herald of death.
He opened and read the letter, which was from Abel Stout, the steward of Engelwode, and was as follows:
“Engelwode Castle,
“May 28, 187—.
“Rev. and Dear Sir: It is my painful duty to announce to you the decease of Charles-George-Francis-Henry, tenth earl of Engelmeed, who expired at one-fifteen this A. M., and of the succession of Capt. the Hon. Kightly Montgomery as eleventh earl. I inclose a letter, which I beg you to be so kind as to hand to his lordship, if my lord is still in your house, or to forward to his address if he should have left, as the presence of his lordship here is imperatively necessary. I have the honor to remain, reverend sir,
“Your obedient servant,
“Abel Stout.”
The inclosed letter was superscribed very formally in full title to
The Right Honorable