James, most averse at the first blush to accepting any news confirmatory of his own poignant suspicions, took her up at once.

“Oh,” he said, “they’d be after wallpapers no doubt.”

Euphemia smiled. “In the Groceries?” she said softly; and, taking Passion and Paregoric from the table, added: “And so you’ll lend me this, dear Auntie? Goodbye!” and went away.

James left almost immediately after; he was late as it was.

When he reached the office of Forsyte, Bustard and Forsyte, he found Soames, sitting in his revolving, chair, drawing up a defence. The latter greeted his father with a curt good morning, and, taking an envelope from his pocket, said:

“It may interest you to look through this.”

James read as follows: