“Well, my lord, and what is a hundred and sixty miles? I suppose you think I can’t stir from my chair, but you are mistaken. I think nothing of a journey of a hundred and sixty miles--I am ready to set off to-morrow--this instant.” Lord Colambre said, that he was sure Miss Reynolds would obey her grandfather’s slightest summons, as it was her duty to do, and would be with him as soon as possible, if this would be more agreeable to him. “I will write to her instantly,” said his lordship, “if you will commission me.” “No, my lord, I do not commission--I will go--I think nothing, I say, of a journey of a hundred and sixty miles--I’ll go--and set out to-morrow morning.” Lord Colambre and the count, perfectly satisfied with the result of their visit, now thought it best to leave old Reynolds at liberty to rest himself, after so many strong and varied feelings. They paid their parting compliments, settled the time for the next day’s journey, and were just going to quit the room, when Lord Colambre heard in the passage a well-known voice--the voice of Mrs. Petito. “Oh, no, my Lady Dashfort’s best compliments, and I will call again.” “No, no,” cried old Reynolds, pulling his bell; “I’ll have no calling again--I’ll be hanged if I do! Let her in now, and I’ll see her--Jack! let in that woman now or never.” “The lady’s gone, sir, out of the street door.” “After her, then--now or never, tell her.” “Sir, she was in a hackney coach.” Old Reynolds jumped up, and went to the window himself, and, seeing the hackney coachman just turning, beckoned at the window, and Mrs. Petito was set down again, and ushered in by Jack, who announced her as, “the lady, sir.” The only lady he had seen in that house. “My dear Mr. Reynolds, I’m so obliged to you for letting me in,” cried Mrs. Petito, adjusting her shawl in the passage, and speaking in a voice and manner well mimicked after her betters. “You are so very good and kind, and I am so much obliged to you.” “You are not obliged to me, and I am neither good nor kind,” said old Reynolds. “You strange man,” said Mrs. Petito, advancing graceful in shawl drapery; but she stopped short. “My Lord Colambre and Count O’Halloran, as I hope to be saved!” “I did not know Mrs. Petito was an acquaintance of yours, gentlemen,” said Mr. Reynolds, smiling shrewdly.