194 THE HAUGHTYSHIRE HUNT. 



spoken to me at the time, but doubtless you had your own 

 reasons for not doing so, and we will say no more about that. 

 I am anxious to see you as soon as possible, and I am 

 sure you will forgive a parent's solicitude on such an all- 

 important subject as the future of his child, I may 

 perhaps, without indiscretion, add that your coming is 

 anxiously looked forward to by a certain member of our 

 family whom I suppose I need not further s^Decify. [A pon- 

 derous attempt on the part of Sir Toodle at being playfully 

 facetious.] So, my dear sir, come over to see us and let us 

 get all the troublesome lawyer's business [Travers groaned 

 aloud] over and done with. Lady Lumpkin — who, I may 

 remark, en passant, was greatly taken with you when you 

 were staying with us — joins me in kindest regards, and intends 

 after we have had an interview with you, and matters have 

 been placed on a satisfactory footing, to do herself the honour 

 and pleasure of calling upon Mrs. Binkie at The Chase. 

 " Believe me, my dear sir, 



" Very truly yours, 



" TooDLE Lumpkin. 



" P.S. — Perhaps if you yourself are unacquainted with the 

 details of business matters, you would prefer me to see your 

 excellent father on these points." 



The letter fluttered quietly down to the ground from the 

 nerveless fingers, and Mr. Travers Algernon Binkie took to 

 his bed. 



