ndmamma" of whom I have heard, I think!

Bishop. Yes. Let me present Mrs. Falk to you, grandmother.

Grandmother (getting up). I am very glad to see you, ma'am.

Mrs. Rost and Cornelia. What does she say?

Grandmother. As the oldest of the family--which is the only merit I
possess--let me bid you welcome. (LEONARDA gives a start, then kneels
down and kisses her hand.)

Mrs. Rost. Good gracious!

Cornelia. Well!

Mrs. Rost. Let us go away!

Rost (in a low voice). Does your lordship wish--?

Bishop (in the same tone). No, thank you--I must go through with it now.

Rost. Good morning, then!

Bishop. Many thanks for your visit and for being so frank with me.

Mrs. Rost. That is always our way, your lordship. Good morning!

Cornelia (as they advance to take leave of her). I will see you out.

Rost (to the GRANDMOTHER). I hope I shall always see you looking as
well, madam!

Mrs. Rost. Good-bye, madam! No, please don't disturb yourself. You have
over-exerted yourself just now you know.

Grandmother. The same to you.

Rost and Mrs. Rost. I beg your pardon?

Bishop. She thought you were wishing her good day--or something of that
sort.

Rost and Mrs. Rost. Oh, I see! (They laugh. They both ceremoniously in
silence to LEONARDA as they pass her; CORNELIA and the BISHOP go with
them to see them out, the BISHOP turning at the door and coming back
into the room.)

Bishop (to LEONARDA). Won't you sit down?

Leonarda. Your lordship sent me a letter to-day. (She pauses for
an answer, but without effect.) In it you give me to understand,
as politely as possible, that your family does not wish to have any
intercourse with me.

Bishop. I imagined, Mrs. Falk, that you had no such desire, either
previously or now.

Leonarda. What it rally means is that you want me to make over my
property to the two young people, and disappear.

Bishop. If you choose to interpret it in that way, Mrs. Falk.

Leonarda. I presume your nephew has told you that my means are not such
as to allow of my providing for one establishment here and another for
myself elsewhere.

Bishop. Quite so. But could you not sell your property?

Leonarda. And all three of us leave here, your lordship means? Of course
that would be possible; but the property is just now becoming of some
value, because of the projected railway--and, besides, it has been so
long in our family.

Bishop. It is a very fine property.

Leonarda. And very dear to us.