“Oh, yes, sir; of course. He had been her guardian and trustee, and he managed all her business for her. But, of course, sir, if you are engaged to the young lady, you know more about these matters than I do,” Mrs. Brown added.
“Yes, I did know, but I have been away so long. Many changes may take place in five months,” Hanson said, very gravely.
Mrs. Brown broke into a merry little laugh, exclaiming:
“Oh! I see just how it is with you. You are jealous of Miss Fronde’s old guardian. Why, sir, you might as well be jealous of her great-grandfather, if she had one.”
Hanson took no notice of this innocent raillery, but inquired:
“Did Miss Fronde go alone to Goblin Hall?”
“No, sir.”
“Who went with her?” demanded Hanson, turning hot and cold at the thought of Harcourt as her possible companion.
“Not Mr. Merritt, certainly,” slyly replied the janitress.
“Who, then? Who, then?” eagerly demanded Hanson.