"I insist on knowing," he exclaimed, angrily.

"You will excuse me, sir, when I tell you that it was quite a little
affair of my own," replied May, in a low voice.

"Very well, madam!" said Mr. Stillinghast, bowing with a sneer; "but
depend on't I shall sift this matter--it shall not rest here."

"I am grieved, dear uncle, to have offended you," began May.

"Be silent! You are full of popish tricks; I suppose you were engaged in
one this morning. Go, answer the bell!" Glad to escape, May stepped the
hall to open the door, and ushered in a tall, fine-looking man, who said
he had business with Mr. Stillinghast. He bowed with a well-bred air to
May and Helen, then to Mr. Stillinghast, who invited him to be seated.

"My name is Jerrold, sir--Walter Jerrold, and I have come to bring you
rents due for the property belonging to you which I occupy."

"Which of my houses is it?" inquired Mr. Stillinghast, gruffly.

"One on C---- Street, sir; and the warehouse on Bolton's Wharf. Here are
the bills, which I hope you will find satisfactory," replied the young
man, handing him a roll of notes, which he inspected carefully one by one.

"All right, sir: but the fact is, Mr. Jerrold, this is a very irregular
way of doing business. The next time we can settle our matters better at
my counting-room," said the old man, folding the notes away; after which
he wrote a receipt, and handed to him. "Many things might happen: you