"He won't say a word, Miss," Hannah had pleaded, "and he'll run and fetch for you like a dog."
But even when recommended so highly for his social qualities, Buggins, she felt, would be antipathetic to her; and, with many false assurances that she did not think it right to interrupt a newly-married couple, she confined herself on those days to her own room.
But when Mr Rubb came, she went down to see him. How much Mr Rubb knew of her affairs,—how far he might be in Miss Colza's confidence,—she did not know; but his conduct to her had not been offensive, and she had been pleased when she learned that the first half year's interest had been paid to her sister-in-law.
"I'm sorry to hear of all this, Miss Mackenzie," said he, when he came forward to greet her. He had not thought it necessary, on this occasion, to put on his yellow gloves or his shiny boots, and she liked him the better on that account.
"Of all what, Mr Rubb?" said she.
"Why, about you and the family at the Cedars. If what I hear is true, they've just got you to give up everything, and then dropped you."
"I left Sir John Ball's house on my own account, Mr Rubb; I was not turned out."
"I don't suppose they'd do that. They wouldn't dare to do that; not so soon after getting hold of your money. Miss Mackenzie, I hope I shall not anger you; but it seems to me to be the most horridly wicked piece of business I ever heard of."
"You are mistaken, Mr Rubb. You forget that the thing was first found out by my own lawyer."
"I don't know how that may be, but I can't bring myself to believe that it all is as they say it is; I can't, indeed."