Of course, you can imagine
that such an expression coming from her own son, shocked
her more than I can tell."
"I assure you, Lord Saltire," said I, "that I have no
idea at all what passed between Lady Saltire and my
patient."
"Well," said he, "without going into details, I may
say that what he whispered was a blasphemous wish, most
coarsely expressed, as to the future of that Upper House
to which I have the honor to belong."
"I am very sorry," said I, "and I assure you that I
have never encouraged him in his extreme political views,
which seem to me to be symptoms of his disease."
"I am quite convinced that what you say is true," he
answered; "but Lady Saltire is unhappily of the opinion
that you have instilled these ideas into him. You know
that it is a little difficult sometimes to reason with a
lady. However, I have no doubt that all may be smoothed
over if you would see Lady Saltire and assure her that
she has misunderstood your views upon this point, and
that you are personally a supporter of a Hereditary
Chamber."
It put me in a tight corner, Bertie; but my mind was
instantly made up. From the first word I had read my
dismissal in every uneasy glance of his little eyes.
"I am afraid," said I, "that that is rather further
than I am prepared to go. I think that since there has
been for some weeks a certain friction between Lady
Saltire and myself, it would perhaps be as well that I
should resign the post which I hold in your household.
Pages:
61
62
63
64
65
66
67
68
69
70
71
72
73
74
75
76
77
78
79
80
81
82
83
84
85