"Why, considering I have not seen my brother for two years, and we did not part on the best possible terms–––"
"But that is all forgotten."
"By your good offices, dear mother, who are always doing good: and yet," continued Egremont, after a moment's pause, "I am not disposed to write to Marney, especially to ask a favour."
"Well, I will write," said Lady Marney; "though I cannot admit it is any favour. Perhaps it would be better that you should see him first. I cannot understand why he keeps so at the Abbey. I am sure I found it a melancholy place enough in my time. I wish you had gone down there, Charles, if it had been only for a few days."
"Well I did not, my dear mother, and I cannot go now. I shall trust to you. But are you quite sure that the king is going to die?"
"I repeat to you, it is certain," replied Lady Marney, in a lowered voice, but a decided tone; "certain, certain, certain. My authority can-
