Then he added: "What people do you mean ?" And before his friend could reply: "Lady Julia ?" Mr.Longdon's assent was mute.

"Ah she was not the worst! I mean that what made it so bad," he continued, "was that they all really liked me.

Your mother, I think--as to THAT, the dreadful consolatory 'liking'-- even more than the others." "My mother ?"--Vanderbank was surprised.

"You mean there was a question-- ?" "Oh for but half a minute! It didn't take her long.

It was five years after your father's death." This explanation was very delicately made.