"Yes," said she, wearily—"it is no use trying to resist him; he can come here."
The lawyer demurred to that. "No," said he, "keep your own counsel, don't let him know you are deserted and ruined; make a favor of coming, but come: and a word in your ear—he can do more for you than Braham can, or will ever do again. So don't you thwart him if you can help."
She was quick enough to see there was something weighty behind, and she consented. He took her back with him; only she was such a long time removing the traces of tears, and choosing the bonnet she thought she should look best in, that she made him twenty minutes late and rather cross. It is a way women have of souring that honeycomb, a man.
When the trio met at the office the husband was pale, the wife dull and sullen.
"It's the last time I shall trouble you, Lucy," said Monckton.
"As you please, Leonard."
"And I want you to make my fortune."
"You have only to tell me how." (Quite incredulously.)
"You must accompany me to Derbyshire, or else meet me at Derby, whichever you please. Oh, don't be alarmed. I don't ask you to travel with me as man and wife."
"It doesn't much matter, I suppose," said Lucy, doggedly.