My Lord Rotherby is of a family singularly cautious in the unions it contracts.
In entering matrimony he prefers, no doubt, to leave a back door open for quiet retreat should he repent him later." "Your honor has his lordship's acquaintance, then ?" quoth the landlady.
"It is a misfortune from which Heaven has hitherto preserved me, but which the devil, it seems, now thrusts upon me.

It will, nevertheless, interest me to see him at close quarters.

Come, ma'am." As they were going out, Mr.Caryll checked suddenly.

"Why, what's o'clock ?" said he.
She stared, so abruptly came the question.

"Past four, sir," she answered.
He uttered a short laugh.