"They are all coming here directly to dine with me.

You will stay and have dinner too, won't you ?" Randal promised to dine with Kitty when they met in London.

Before he left the room he pointed to his card on the table.

"Let my friend see that message," he said, as he went out.
The moment the door had closed on him, Mrs.Presty startled her daughter by taking up the card and looking at what Randal had written on it.
"It isn't a letter, Catherine; and you know how superior I am to common prejudices." With that defense of her proceeding, she coolly read the message: "I am sorry to say that I can tell you nothing more of your old friend's daughter as yet.

I can only repeat that she neither needs nor deserves the help that you kindly offer to her." Mrs.Presty laid the card down again and owned that she wished Randal had been a little more explicit.