"I hope it may prove so. Tell me, first, how is Mrs. Algernon Ancram Errington?" "Why, Castalia is not very well, I think, although I don't know what is the matter. She grows thinner and thinner, and sallower and sallower. _Entre nous_, Minnie, she frets and chafes against our life here. She has not the gift of looking on the bright side of things. She is rather peevish by nature. It's a little trying sometimes, coming on the back of all the other botherations. Ha! There!" (passing his hand quickly across his forehead) "let us say no more on that subject either. And now to return to the interesting topic--the delightful and accomplished--eh? What have you to say to me?" Minnie seized on the opportunity, which chance had afforded her, to introduce the matter she wished to speak about. "Do you think your wife is annoyed by the importunities of tradespeople, Algy? That would be enough to fret her and sour her temper." "Importunities of tradespeople? Good gracious, no! And, besides, I don't think Castalia would allow the importunities of tradespeople to disturb her much. I should fancy that a Bourbon princess could scarcely look on such folks from a more magnificent elevation than poor Castalia does. But, _Que voulez-vous_? She was brought up in that sort of hauteur." "I quite believe in your wife's disregard for the feelings of the tradespeople," answered Minnie drily. "But this is a question of her own feelings, you see. Come, Algernon, may I take the privilege of our old friendship, and speak to you quite frankly?" "Pray do, my dear Minnie. You know I always loved frankness." He looked the picture of candour as he turned his bright blue eyes on his friend. "Well, then, to begin with a question. Do you not owe money to several persons in Whitford?" "My dear Minnie, don't look so solemn, for mercy's sake! 'Owe money!' Why I suppose everybody owes money. A few pounds would cover all my debts. I assure you I am never troubled on the subject." "I am glad to hear it. But--will you forgive the liberty I am taking for the sake of my motive, and give me _carte blanche_ to be as impertinent as I please." "With all my heart!" he answered unhesitatingly. "Thanks, Algy. Then, to proceed without circumlocution: I am afraid that, since neither you nor your wife are accustomed to domestic economy, you may possibly be spending more money than is quite prudent, without being aware of it. You say you are not disturbed by your debts; but, Algy, I hear things on this subject which are never likely to reach your ears; or not until it is too late for the knowledge of them to serve you. And I have reason to think that there is a good deal of unpleasant feeling among the Whitford tradespeople about you and yours."