She
posts her own letters--_and,_ she has lately been excessively insolent
to Me. There is something wrong. I must take some steps in the
matter--and it is only proper that I should do so with your sanction, as
head of the family."
"Consider me as abdicating my position, Lady Lundie, in your favor."
"Sir Patrick, I beg you to observe that I am speaking seriously, and
that I expect a serious reply."
"My good lady, ask me for any thing else and it is at your service. I
have not made a serious reply since I gave up practice at the
Scottish Bar. At my age," added Sir Patrick, cunningly drifting into
generalities, "nothing is serious--except Indigestion. I say, with the
philosopher, 'Life is a comedy to those who think, and tragedy to those
who feel.'" He took his sister-in-law's hand, and kissed it. "Dear Lady
Lundie, why feel?"
Lady Lundie, who had never "felt" in her life, appeared perversely
determined to feel, on this occasion. She was offended--and she showed
it plainly.
"When you are next called on, Sir Patrick, to judge of Miss Silvester's
conduct," she said, "unless I am entirely mistaken, you will find
yourself _compelled_ to consider it as something beyond a joke.
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