“To be sure! To be sure!” assented the amiable master of Mondreer.
“I wonder,” whispered Leonidas Force, as he linked his arm in that of Roland Bayard, and they passed along the hall together, “I do wonder if it is characteristic of a lady of high descent to open the envelope of a letter left on her mantelpiece and take out the letter? I wonder, further, if it were not a breach of the law, and what the lawyers call ‘actionable’?”
“I think not,” laughed Roland. “She acted in the cause of law, peace and justice. I don’t think you could get any judge, jury, or even country magistrate, to see it in any other light.”
They had now reached Mrs. Force’s sitting room, where, as soon as they entered, they were received with the warmest welcome by all the family and guests there assembled.
Miss Sibby had already resumed her seat in the most comfortable armchair the room could boast.
There were present Mrs. Force, Mrs. Anglesea, Miss Bayard and the two little girls, who had just come in.
Odalite was not there.
“Come here, my fine, young sailor lad! I haven’t seen sight of you since the rumpus in the church! Wasn’t that a circus? Come here and sit by me!” said the lady from Wild Cats’, making room on the sofa for Roland Bayard, who, with a smile and a bow, immediately placed himself beside her.
What else could a gentleman do?
“How is Odalite, auntie, dear?” inquired Le, seating himself just behind Mrs. Force’s chair, and leaning over its back.