Was it your first visit to that unhappy country ?" "I have been more than once in Ireland." Having again deliberately disappointed Mountjoy, she was assisted in keeping clear of the subject of Ireland by a fortunate interruption.

It was the hour of delivery by the afternoon-post.

The servant came in with a small sealed packet, and a slip of printed paper in her hand.
"It's registered, ma'am," the woman announced.

"The postman says you are to please sign this.

And he seems to be in a hurry." She placed the packet and the slip of paper on the table, near the inkstand.