"What! at home!" cried the Baron. "And does she know I'm here?"
"She does."
"Then why in thunder don't she come down?" cried the Baron, wonderingly.
"Because she is indisposed."
"Indisposed?"
"Yes."
This was the information which Mrs. Willoughby had decided to give to the Baron. Minnie had stipulated that his feelings should not be hurt; and this seemed to her to be the easiest mode of dealing with him.
"Indisposed!" cried the Baron.
"Yes."
"Oh dear! Oh, I hope, ma'am—I do hope, ma'am, that she ain't very bad. Is it any thing serious—or what?"