I am sorry to spoil the pretty romance in which you take such evident delight, my good, kind, charitable mother; but truth obliges me to tell you it is a fabrication from beginning to end.

And now, if you will be good enough to tell me the name of the originator of this report, you will confer upon me the last favor I shall ever ask of you.

My wife's honor is mine; and neither she nor I will ever set foot in a house where such stories are credited--not only credited, but exulted in.

Tell me the name of your tale-maker, Lady Kingsland, and permit me to wish you good-evening." "Everard!" his sister cried, in agony.
But he cut her short with an impatient wave of his hand.
"Hush, Mildred; let my mother speak." "I have nothing to say." She stood haughtily before him, and they looked each other full in the face, mother and son.

"My tale-maker is the whole town.