Alas! the manner of Mother’s coming had been otherwise. And the longer she remained, the less she ought to have said in order to realize the estimate she had formed of her own wisdom—and when the spouse of a great Proconsul is thinking imperially you can have no idea how great that estimate is.
“Lord Shelmerdine empowers me to offer all reasonable reparation.”
Grandmamma was interested to hear that in spite of the fact that the whole matter was so purely academic.
“If there is any special form the young lady—I haven’t the pleasure of the name of your niece, madam—would desire the reparation to assume, Lord Shelmerdine’s solicitor will be happy to call upon her to-morrow.”
“Oh, but Mater—I say—”
Slight display of Fortiter in order to cope with this unfilial interruption.
“It is your father’s wish, Philip.”
The ears of Grandmamma had seemed to cock a little at the mention of Lord Shelmerdine’s solicitor.
“Forgive me, madam, if I appear dense,” said the most perfect elocution.
Underplay a bit, Peggy my dear, like Fanny does in genuine light comedy, said the Distinguished Shade, smiling benevolently down from the cornice.