“And to yourself also, my child. We are not interested in those high themes,” added the General, who was deep in a senatorial debate.
And Anna did read to herself for some time, but at length she exclaimed:
“Well, here is an item in which I think you will be interested, all of you.”
Drusilla started and looked up anxiously. She thought that Anna had come upon some news of Alexander, and she wondered how she herself could have overlooked such a matter.
Even the General laid down his paper to listen.
“Well, what is it, dear?” inquired Dick.
Anna read:
“‘The Barony of Killcrichtoun, so long in abeyance, has been claimed by a young American gentleman in right of his mother. The barony, it will be remembered, is not a male feoff only; but, failing male heirs, descends in the female line. The right of the new claimant is said to be indisputable. He is the great great grandson and only living descendant of George-Duncan-Bertie-Bruce, the tenth and last Baron of Killcrichtoun.’”
“Oh, I saw that,” said Drusilla, with a look of disappointment.
“Who is he?” inquired General Lyon, indifferently.