“The eldest daughter married Mr. Ormson, of Cushion Court, with whose name, I dare say, you are well acquainted.”
“Yes, as that of a very honest, respectable man,” acquiesced Mr. Stewart, in a tone which implied that he never expected to hear one-half so much good of the person he addressed.
“The second did me the honour of linking her fortunes with mine,” went on Mr. Black, at which speech his auditor smiled again, not pleasantly. “The youngest married Major Dudley, of Berrie Down, and——”
“Is, consequently, this Squire Dudley’s mother,” suggested Mr. Stewart.
“No, his mother-in-law,” amended the promoter.
“Stepmother, you would say, I presume,” corrected Mr. Stewart. “So that is the relationship, is it?” and apparently he constructed a genealogical tree for his own edification on the instant, where hung prominently a matrimonial excrescence, with a pretty face and vulgar manners, sister-in-law to Peter Black, Esquire, of Stanley Crescent.
“Major Dudley’s first wife, the present Squire Dudley’s mother, was a daughter of Arthur Hope, Esquire, of Copt Hall, Essex.”
“Indeed!”
“You may have observed Mr. Walter Hope’s name on our direction?”
“I believe I did notice it.”