She laughed merrily and said with a mock bow, "To the lower; I have passed the greater portion of my life in a solicitor's office."
"Dear me, how very interesting! I should like to hear about it if I may, if it is not a secret."
"Not at all; I know you are very curious to know who I am, so if you like I'll give you my whole history."
"I shall be very glad to hear it," Hudson said, this time speaking in a serious tone. "I shall be able to know how I can help you when I know more about you. But sit down in that arm-chair; it is more comfortable and you look very tired."
She sat down in the arm-chair by the window, while he took a chair near her.
"Well, to start at the beginning," Mary said; "my father is a solicitor."
"What! not that old rascal, Edmund Grimm!" Hudson exclaimed; "but I beg your pardon, Miss Grimm."
"Not at all, don't apologize; he is an old rascal, and that's putting it very mildly. Do you know him then?"
"I should think so," the barrister answered. "I have done lots of work for him for which he has never paid me. I have long ago given up all hopes of getting my fees out of him."
"I don't think you ever will get them," Mary said quietly.