"La! mum, it's quite safe. I'm sure I shouldn't trouble much about
it--'specially in this country, as----"

"Silence!" Mrs. Rowe hissed. The thorns in her cross consisted chiefly
of Jane's awkward attempts at consolation. "The villain is bent on my
ruin. A bad boy he was; a bad man he is. Show him in; and see that
François doesn't come here. Get some coffee yourself, Jane, and bring
it. Let the brute in."

"You're hard upon him, mum, indeed you are. I'm sure he'd be a credit
to----"

"Go, and hold your tongue. You presume, Jane, on the privileges of an
old servant."

"Indeed I hope not, mum; but----"

"Go!"

Jane went to summon the early visitor; and was heard talking amiably to
him, as she led him to the bureau. "Now, you must be good, Mr. Charles,
to-day, and not stay more than a quarter of an hour. Don't talk loud,
like the last time; promise me. Missus means well--you know she does."

With an impatient "All right" the stranger pushed into the business
parlour, and sharply closed the door.

Mrs. Rowe stood, her knuckles firmly planted upon the closed desk, her
face rigidly set, to receive her visitor--keeping the table between him