‘Oh no—quite impossible! These are Merrifields, but the daughters are two regular old goodies, wrapped up in Sunday schools and penny clubs.’
‘Well, that is odd! The editor of the --- came down in the train with me, and said he was going to see Mesa—Miss Elizabeth Merrifield.’
‘I do think it is very unfair,’ began Arthurine; but at that moment the door-bell rang. ‘How strange at this time!’
‘Oh! perhaps the editor is coming here!’ cried Arthurine. ‘Did you tell him I lived here, Miss Elmore?’
‘Admiral Merrifield,’ announced the parlour-maid.
He had resolved not to summon the young lady in private, as he thought there was more chance of common-sense in the mother.
‘You are surprised to see me at this time,’ he said; ‘but Mrs. Rudden is perplexed by a communication from you.’
‘Mrs. Rudden!’ exclaimed Arthurine. ‘Why, I only sent her word that I was too busy to go through her accounts to-day, and asked her to come to-morrow. That isn’t against the laws of the Medes and Persians, is it?’
‘Then did you send her this letter?’
‘I?’ said Arthurine, staring at it, with her eyes at their fullest extent. ‘I! fifty pounds! Mr. Foxholm! What does it mean?’