Fiction > Book editions > London, 1889 - Master of Ballantrae

SU.MMAUY OF EVENTS. 37
" You must try to forgive me, Mrs. Durie, for indeed
and I am just an Irish savage/'' said the Colonel ; " and
I deserve to be shot for not breaking the matter more
artistically to a lady. But here are the INIaster's own
letters; one for each of the three of you; and to be
sure (if I know anything of my friend's genius) he will
tell his own story with a better grace."
He brought the thi-ee letters forth as he spoke, ar-
ranged them by their superscriptions, presented the first
to my lord, who took it greedily, and advanced towards
Mrs. Henry holding out the second.
But the lady waved it back. " To my husband,"
says she, with a choked voice.
The Colonel was a quick man, but at this he was some-
whr.t nonplussed. "To be sure ! " says he ; " how very
dull of me! To be sure ! " But he still held the letter.
At last Mr. Henry reached forth his hand, and there
was nothing to be done but give it up. Mr. Henry took
the letters (both hers and his own), and looked upon
their outside, with his brows knit hard, as if he were
thinking. He had sui'prised me all through by his ex-
cellent behaviour; but he was to excel himself now.
" Let me give you a hand to your room,'-* said he to his
wife. " This has come something of the suddenest ; and,
at any rate, you will wish to read your letter by yourself."
Again she looked upon him with the same thought of
wonder ; but he gave her no time, coming straight to
where she stood. " It will be better so, believe me,''