‘Why, Kate,’ said Nicholas, drawing his sister towards him and kissing her, ‘let me see your face. No? Ah! that was but a glimpse; that’s scarcely fair. A longer look than that, Kate. Come—and I’ll read your thoughts for you.’

Anna Mikhaylovna, in a few words, told her the contents of the letter, on condition that she should tell no one.

‘To hang himself!’ cried Mr Lillyvick again. ‘Is any parallel attempted to be drawn in this company between matrimony and hanging?’