“Anything you like, Roma. I came down here to serve you.”
“Then, when Dr. Shaw comes to-day, will you tell him the story of that felonious marriage, which has nearly wrecked my life?”
“I will do so, my dear. It is even much better that I should tell him than that you should,” promptly replied the lawyer.
This decision had scarcely been reached when the sound of wheels was again heard on the avenue.
“That is Dr. Shaw now, I am sure!” exclaimed Roma, and again she anticipated the slow and solemn movements of Pompous by flying to the front door and opening it at the instant the old minister alighted from his carriage.
“I hope there is no trouble, my dear,” said the kindly old man, after the first greetings had passed, and she was showing him into the drawing-room.
“Yes, dear friend, there is trouble. Sit down here in this large chair; put your feet on this hassock; give me your hat and gloves. There is our mutual friend, Mr. Merritt, of Washington. He will tell you all you should know,” said Roma.
The clergyman and the attorney shook hands very cordially. They were old friends.
Roma left the room for a moment to put up the pastor’s hat and gloves and to release the children from their lessons and send them out to play.
Then she returned to the drawing-room.