"I wish to see them particularly," said the lady, giving Prissy a card, upon which the name of Mrs. Gordon was engraved. "Are you Prissy?"
"Yes, ma'am," Prissy answered in wonder; "but I don't remember ever having seen you."
"You have never seen me before," said Mrs. Gordon with a smile, "but I have heard of you. Can I wait until your mistress's visitor is gone? I bring good news."
"You can sit in my room, if you don't mind, ma'am," said Prissy, who was greatly excited at the promise of good news.
"Thank you," said Mrs. Gordon; and she followed the servant upstairs to a room next to that in which Mr. Poynter and Rachel were conversing, and where, the wall being thin, she could hear every word that was being spoken in the adjoining apartment.
"This gentleman," said Rachel to her husband, pointing in the direction of Mr. Poynter, "has called to see you on business, and has taken advantage of your absence to offer me a bribe."
"One moment, Rachel," said Aaron; "let me first hear the nature of Mr. Poynter's business."
"I will explain it," said Mr. Poynter. "I have not been fortunate enough to win Mrs. Cohen's favour, but ladies are not accustomed to discuss business matters."
"Did you come here to discuss a business matter with my wife?" inquired Aaron, calmly.
"Well, hardly; but as you were absent I thought I might mention the matter to her."