"This illness is the more unfortunate for us," said the Scotch girl, "because it arrived so suddenly."
"And before the Marquis had made his will," added the French-woman.
"Yes," observed the English beauty,—"it was only yesterday afternoon that he assured us he should not fail to take good care of us all whenever he did make his will."
"And now he will die intestate, as the lawyers say," murmured the Scotch girl; "and we shall be sent forth into the world without resources."
"Oh! how shocking to think of!" cried the Spaniard. "I am sure I should die if I were forced to quit this charming place."
"Nay—now you talk too absurdly, my dear friend," interposed the French charmer; "for, beautiful as we all are, we need not be apprehensive of the future."
"After all, the Marquis may make his will," said the English girl.
"Or recover," added the Irish beauty. "And for my part, I would sooner that he should do that than be snatched away from us so suddenly; for, old as he is, the Marquis is very agreeable—very amiable."
"From what our maids told us just now," remarked the Scotch girl, "there does not appear to be any chance of his lordship's recovery. Besides, he is much older than he ever chose to admit to us; and his life has been a long career of pleasure and enjoyment."