"Why shouldn't I write a line at once to Hardyman, aunt?
The sooner you have his opinion about Tommie the better--don't you think so ?" Lady Lydiard pointed to the pen tray, with a smile.

To show consideration for her dog was to seize irresistibly on the high-road to her favor.

Felix set to work on his letter, in a large scrambling handwriting, with plenty of ink and a noisy pen.

"I declare we are like clerks in an office," he remarked, in his cheery way.

"All with our noses to the paper, writing as if we lived by it! Here, Moody, let one of the servants take this at once to Mr.Hardyman's." The messenger was despatched.