'And why should Uncle Silas care?' said I, a good deal surprised.

'They're a-tellin' lies.'

'Who?' said I.

'L'Amour--that's who. So soon as she made her complaint of me, the Gov'nor
asked her, sharp enough, did anyone come last night, or a po'shay; and she
was ready to swear there was no one. Are ye quite sure, Maud, you really
did see aught, or 'appen 'twas all a dream?'

'It was no dream, Milly; so sure as you are there, I saw exactly what I
told you,' I replied.

'Gov'nor won't believe it anyhow; and he's right mad wi' me; and he
threatens me he'll have me off to France; I wish 'twas under the sea. I
hate France--I do--like the devil. Don't you? They're always a-threatening
me wi' France, if I dare say a word more about the po'shay, or--or anyone.'

I really was curious about Cormoran; but Cormoran was not to be defined
to me by Milly; nor did she, in reality, know more than I respecting the
arrival of the night before.

One day I was surprised to see Doctor Bryerly on the stairs. I was standing
in a dark gallery as he walked across the floor of the lobby to my uncle's
door, his hat on, and some papers in his hand.

He did not see me; and when he had entered Uncle Silas's door, I went down
and found Milly awaiting me in the hall.