“Doctor!” said Mr. Dick. “What is it that’s amiss? Look here!”

“Annie!” cried the Doctor. “Not at my feet, my dear!”

“Yes!” she said. “I beg and pray that no one will leave the room! Oh, my husband and father, break this long silence. Let us both know what it is that has come between us!”

Mrs. Markleham, by this time recovering the power of speech, and seeming to swell with family pride and motherly indignation, here exclaimed, “Annie, get up immediately, and don’t disgrace everybody belonging to you by humbling yourself like that, unless you wish to see me go out of my mind on the spot!”

“Mama!” returned Annie. “Waste no words on me, for my appeal is to my husband, and even you are nothing here.”