"Ha!—no, Ancram. I—I remember what you said; but, I—I take leave to think that if you wish to consider that other person—it is your wife of whom you spoke, I presume?"
Algernon bowed his head.
"If you wish to consider that person effectually, you ought not to have flown off at a tangent in the manner you have done. You might—ahem!—you might, at least, have written to me for advice."
"Lord Seely, I am sorry to say that you are under an entire misapprehension as to the state of the case."
Lord Seely was not accustomed to be told that he was under an entire misapprehension on any subject.
"If so, Ancram," he answered, with some hauteur, "the fault must be yours. I believe I should succeed in comprehending any moderately clear and accurate statement."
"I will try to speak plainly. During the last six weeks I have been made seriously unhappy by rumours floating about in Whitford respecting my wife."
"Rumours——! Respecting your wife?"
"They reach my ears through various channels, and appear to be rife in every social circle in the place."
"Rumours! Of what nature?"