"Mamma has only to sign that? She needn't eat anything?"
"Only to sign, I assure you."
"Then I am sure she will do it. She likes to see herself in print, and, as you know, has a fancy for authorship. You may have seen her name in the Pall Mall Magazine and The Lady's Realm?"
Mr. Rodney bent his head.
"Often. Then that is happily arranged. I am dining with Mr. Lite to-night at the Crystal Palace to clinch the matter finally."
Mrs. Verulam's eyes filled with tears.
"You are dining at the Crystal Palace for me? Oh, Mr. Rodney!"
For a moment she was quite overcome. Nor was he entirely unmoved, although, manlike, he rigidly controlled the expression of a feeling that did him honour. He cleared his throat twice, it is true, but when he spoke again his voice was perfectly calm and natural.
"You will send this by messenger to Lady Sophia?"
"I will."