to New Zealand and turning
sheep-farmer. True, I assure you; he is an enthusiast about
independence; which means he has a grand vocation for the workhouse."

"By what strange turn of events has he become your correspondent?"

"I should say, Dora, it looks ill as regards the money. I'm afraid that
this bodes a refusal."

"Would not the shorter way be to read it?" said the other, simply.

"Yes, the shorter, but perhaps not the sweeter. There are little events
in life which are worse than even uncertainties; but here goes:--

"'Castello."

"'My dear Lady Augusta,--

"A very pretty beginning from my son--I mean my husband's son; and yet
he could not have commenced 'Dearest Mamma.'"

"'I write my first letter to you at a very painful moment. My poor
father was seized on Tuesday last with a most serious and sudden
illness, to which the physician as yet hesitates to give a name. It
is, however, on the brain or the membranes, and deprives him of all
inclination, though not entirely of all power, to use his faculties.
He is, moreover, enjoined to avoid every source of excitement, and even
forbidden to converse. Of course, under these afflicting circumstances,
everything which relates to business in any way is imperatively excluded
from his knowledge; and must continue to be so till some change occurs.

"'It is not at such a moment you would expect to hear of a marriage
in the family, and yet yesterday my sister Marion was married to Lord
Viscount Culduff.'"

Here she laid down the letter, and stared with an expression of
almost overwhelmed amazement at her sister. "Lord Culduff! Where's the
'Peerage,' Dora? Surely it must be the same who was at Dresden when we
were children; he wasn't married--there can be no son. Oh, here he
is: 'Henry Plantagenet de Lacey, fourteenth Viscount Culduff; born 9th
February, 17--.' Last century. Why, he 's the patriarch of the peers,
and she 's twenty-four! What can the girl mean?"

"Do read on; I'm impatient for more."

"'The imperative necessity for Lord Culduff to hold himself in readiness
for whatever post in the diplomatic service the Minister might desire
him to occupy, was the chief reason for the marriage taking place at
this conjuncture. My father, however, himself, was very anxious on the
subject; and indeed, insisted strongly on being present. The ceremony
was accordingly performed in his own room, and I rejoice to say that,
though naturally much excited, he does not appea