"And that is too, too dreadful to think of," cried Mrs. Melwyn piteously. "Oh, general!"
"Oh, papa! oh, Edgar! Can you think of nothing?" added Catharine in the same tone.
"It would be a pity he should starve; for he is a remarkably gentlemanlike, agreeable fellow," observed the general. "Edgar, do you know what was meant by the term, one meets with in old books about manners, of 'led captain?' I wish to heaven I could have a led captain like that."
"Oh, there was the chaplain as well as the led captain in those days, papa," said Catherine, readily. "Dearest papa, if one could but persuade you you wanted a domestic chaplain."
"Well, and what did the chaplain do in those days. Mrs. Pert?"
"Why, he sat at the bottom of the table, and carved the sirloin."
"And he read, and played at backgammon—when he was wanted, I believe," put in Edgar.
"And he did a great deal more," added Catherine in a graver tone. "He kept the accounts, and looked after important business for his patron."
"And visited the poor and was the almoner and their friend," said Lettice in a low voice.
"And played at bowls, and drank—"