“Your medicine, Oswald,” she said, advancing into the room. “You forgot it after breakfast.”

“I’m very busy, Maria,” said Sir Oswald. “I don’t want my medicine.”

“You would never take it if it wasn’t for me,” said his wife serenely, advancing upon him. “You’re just like a naughty little boy. Drink it up now.”

And meekly, obediently, the great steel magnate drank it up!

Lady Coote smiled sadly and sweetly at everyone.

“Am I interrupting you? Are you very busy? Oh, look at those revolvers. Nasty, noisy, murdering things. To think, Oswald, that you might have been shot by the burglar last night.”

“You must have been alarmed when you found he was missing, Lady Coote,” said Battle.