“It appears to be necessary. Once for all, however, let me inform you that henceforth I expect to be treated in a different fashion. If you have not the affection to respect your brother Theodore, if you have not the delicacy of sentiment to respect the son of the late Lord Chancellor—you will at least respect the Bishop of Sheffield.”
He stood for a moment to allow the effect of his words to be duly felt, and then marched to the door. Here he stopped and turned round.
“It may also interest you to learn that on the thirty-first of July I am going to be married to Gwendolen Durant.”
He went out and slammed the door behind him. Lady Sophia stared at her eldest brother with helpless astonishment; but with a little smile, Lord Spratte shrugged his shoulders.
“He always has had the last word, Sophia.”
XX
The Times of the third of May in the following year contained the subjoined announcement:
SPRATTE. On the 1st instant, at the Palace, the wife of the Right Revd. the Bishop of Sheffield, (the Honourable Theodore Spratte,) of a son.
Richard Clay & Sons, Limited, London and Bungay.