The sight of a well-dressed visitor coming up to the house interrupted their quiet communion, just as they had felt that no more could be done respecting Leo, after Salis had been placed au courant with the state of affairs at the Rectory. Among others that Dally had been to and fro several times to see her grandfather, but had settled down to her work as of old.
In fact that young lady entered the room directly after the ringing of the gate bell, to state that Mrs Berens was in the drawing-room, and wanted to see master “partickler.”
“I will see her for you, Hartley,” said Mary.
“No,” replied Salis firmly; “I want work to keep my brain quiet, or I shall be ill. Show her in here, Dally.”
“No, no, I will fetch her,” said Mary, smiling at her brother’s want of etiquette.
She left the room to return directly.
“Come and see her, Hartley,” she said. “Poor woman, she is in sad trouble.”
“Hah! I am glad,” cried Salis. “Something to think about. The best medicine for me.”
“Oh, Mr Salis, what shall I do? What you have so often said!” sobbed Mrs Berens, as he entered the room, and she clung to his extended hand.
“What I have so often said?”