“I accept your kindly proffer most thankfully,� was her prompt reply. “I have been invited to various homes here and there in the county, but those who invited me have sought to convey a favor to me by their courtesy and I prefer to go to you.�
“Good,� said Master Ficklin briskly. “That is settled then. No one has either a legal or a moral claim to your clothes or personal belongings or such jewelry as you have been accustomed to wear or have in your possession. You may pack everything of that sort and take away with you any little keepsake. In fact, I am empowered by those who held the mortgage to tell you that the pictures of your father or mother or anything strictly personal they waive their claim to.�
“Thank you,� said Mistress Lucy, “I shall take but small advantage of their generosity.�
“I know that,� answered Master Ficklin, “and now I will return to the town. If you will be ready about six o’clock—� it was then about two—“I will return and fetch you to our home.�
“I shall be ready. Good-by.�
The little lawyer bent over her hand and left the room. I had sat dumb and silent during the whole interview, although I had listened to everything with the deepest interest. As usual it was she who broke the silence when we were alone again.
“Master Hampdon,� she began, “to what a sorry pass am I reduced! What shall I do now?�
“My lady,� said I, “the sorriest part of the pass to which you have been brought is that you have in me such a poor counselor, a rough sailor, but one who would, nevertheless, give his heart’s blood to promote your welfare, or do you any service.�
Now as I said that I laid my hand on the breast of my coat and as I bent awkwardly enough toward her—I could not even bow as gracefully as the little attorney just departed—I felt the paper which I had taken from Sir Geoffrey’s hand and which I had entirely forgot in the hurry and confusion of the days that had followed his death. I stood covered with surprise and shame at my careless forgetfulness, and stared at her.
“What is it?� she asked, instantly noting my amaze.