Olivia blushed, but did not withdraw her arm.
“That is all nonsense,” she said, imperiously. “You are ill, and I believe you want a doctor, and I mean to fetch one. I’m turning nurse to the parish,” she went on merrily; “you know it was I who got the doctor for Mr. Mitchell.”
Vernon’s face clouded.
“Yes; I know,” said he.
“Oh, Mr. Brander,” continued Olivia, beginning to stammer and hesitate. “I—I have something to tell you about Mr. Mitchell; something he said—to me, this afternoon.”
“Well, what was it?”
“They were talking—he and old Mr. Williams—this afternoon, about the restoration of—of—”
“——Of St. Cuthbert’s tower?”
“Yes. Mr. Mitchell was persuading him to build a new tower——”
“Persuading him! Clever old fox! There’s a proverb about cheating the devil, but I think it would be stronger to talk of cheating Ned Mitchell.”