enwich--I 've left blank. Fill it up
as your conscience suggests. The Irish expenses are also low, as I lived
a good deal at Bishop's Folly. I also make no charge for keeping you out
of 'Punch.' It was n't easy, all the same, for the fellows had you, wig,
waistcoat, and all. In fact, my Lord, it's a friendly document, though
your present disposition doesn't exactly seem to respond to that line
of action; but Tom Cutbill is a forgiving soul. Your Lordship will look
over this paper, then; and in a couple of days--no hurry, you know, for
I have lots to see here--in a couple of days I 'll drop in, and talk the
thing over with you; for you see there are two or three points--about
the way you behaved to your brother-in-law, and such like--that I 'd
like to chat a little with you about."

As Lord Culduff listened his face grew redder and redder, and his
fingers played with the back of the chair on which he leaned with a
quick, convulsive motion; and as the other went on he drew from time
to time long, deep inspirations, as if invoking patience to carry him
through the infliction. At last he said, in a half-faint voice, "Have
you done, sir,--is it over?"

"Well, pretty nigh. I 'd like to have asked you about my Lady. I know
she had a temper of her own before you married her, and I 'm rather
curious to hear how you hit it off together. Does she give in--eh? Has
the high and mighty dodge subdued her? I thought it would."

"Do me the great favor, sir, to ring that bell and to leave me. I am
not very well," said Culduff, gasping for breath.

"I see that. I see you've got the blood to your head. When a man comes
to your time of life, he must mind what he eats, and stick to pint
bottles too. That's true as the Bible--pint bottles and plenty of
Seltzer when you 're amongst the seventies."

And with this aphorism he drew on his coat, buttoned it leisurely to the
collar, and with a familiar nod left the room.

"Giacomo," said Lord Culduff, "that man is not to be admitted again on
any pretext. Tell the porter his place shall pay for it, if he passes
the grille."

Giacomo bowed silent acquiescence, and Lord Culduff lay back on a sofa
and said, "Tell Dr. Pritchard to come here; tell my Lady, tell Mr.
Temple, I feel very ill;" and so saying he closed his eyes and seemed
overcome.

CHAPTER XXXIX. AT ALBANO

"Who do you think asks himself to dine with us to-day, Julia?" said
L'Estrange to his sister on the day of the scene re