"I do not. So far as I am concerned, I should not mind living here for the rest of my days. I like the house and the neighbourhood, and especially do I like the White Room----"
"The very place where the poor creature was killed said Laura, with a shudder, which made Mrs. Fane smile.
"My dear, what does that matter? Death is death, however it comes, as you ought to know. If a murder took place in every room in the house I should not mind."
"Would you like it to take place in the nursery?" asked Laura.
Here she touched Mrs. Fane on a raw spot. If there was one thing the self-possessed woman loved it was her little daughter. That she was annoyed showed itself by the slight flush which crimsoned her face.
"You shouldn't say such things, my dear," she said in icy tones; "of course I except the nursery. An atmosphere of crime would not be conducive to the health of Minnie. But as I was saying, Walter wishes to give up the house."
"You said nothing of the sort," said Laura, irritated.
"I say it now, then. Walter wishes to go abroad."
"What about the business?"
Mrs. Fane raised her perfectly marked eyebrows. "Well, what about it, Laura? You know Walter is often away for weeks yachting. Times and seasons make no difference to him, so far as his love of the sea is concerned. Frederick says"--Frederick Mason was her brother--"that Walter is of very little use in the office."