“No, but I know who they are, and I have come to see them.”
“Then let me speak to them first,” he suggested, going up to the two men.
He addressed them in a low tone, and then brought them to the spot where Odalite and her companions waited.
“Miss Force,” he said, “this is Mr. Copp, legal steward of the late Miss Laura Notley. This is Mr. Beever, manager of the plantation. They wish to speak to you on business, and will show you into the house,” he said.
The two men bowed very deferentially.
Odalite received them politely, and at Mr. Copp’s invitation, followed them into the building, accompanied by her sisters, their governess and Col. Anglesea, who regarded all these proceedings with a sarcastic smile.
The lawyer led the whole party into a small, old-fashioned, oak-paneled parlor, with a chimney in the angle of the wall, in which a large, wood fire had been kindled, and near which a table and a few chairs had been placed.
On this table lay various books of samples, and patterns, and catalogues of prices.
“Will you sit down and look over these, or will you go through the house first? I have had fires built in all the rooms, but still I think the place is not thoroughly aired and dried yet,” said Mr. Copp.
“We will look over these first, and then take them through the house for reference,” replied Odalite.