As things are, don't you think it will be more convenient to every body if I relieve you of the responsibility of entertaining your guests ?" "As head of the family ?" stipulated Lady Lundie.
"As head of the family!" answered Sir Patrick.
"I gratefully accept the proposal," said Lady Lundie.
"I beg you won't mention it," rejoined Sir Patrick.
He quitted the room, leaving Jonathan under examination.

He and his brother (the late Sir Thomas) had chosen widely different paths in life, and had seen but little of each other since the time when they had been boys.

Sir Patrick's recollections (on leaving Lady Lundie) appeared to have taken him back to that time, and to have inspired him with a certain tenderness for his brother's memory.

He shook his head, and sighed a sad little sigh.

"Poor Tom!" he said to himself, softly, after he had shut the door on his brother's widow.