Their faces were full of trouble—so much so that the two painters did not even apologize for the carelessness of their attire, or for the odor of tobacco that filled the room. Little Billee's mother recognized the two painters at a glance, from the sketches and descriptions of which her son's letters were always full.
They all sat down.
After a moment's embarrassed silence, Mrs. Bagot exclaimed, addressing Taffy: "Mr. Wynne, we are in terrible distress of mind. I don't know if my son has told you, but on Christmas Day he engaged himself to be married!"
"To—be—married!" exclaimed Taffy and the Laird, for whom this was news indeed.
"Yes—to be married to a Miss Trilby O'Ferrall, who, from what he implies, is in quite a different position in life to himself. Do you know the lady, Mr. Wynne?"
"Oh yes! I know her very well indeed; we all know her."
"Is she English?"
"She's an English subject, I believe."
"Is she a Protestant or a Roman Catholic?" inquired the clergyman.
"A—a—upon my word, I really don't know!"