“True! I hope he will live long to enjoy it.”
“By the way, where are the Mordaunts? They and Basil would inherit my boy’s property if he should unfortunately die.”
“I don’t know. I wish I could get track of them.”
“Where were they when you last heard of them?”
“Living in Springfield, Illinois.”
“How were their circumstances?”
“They were comfortably situated, but had no means, I believe, outside of Mr. Mordaunt’s income as a salesman. Basil wrote to a friend in Springfield to inquire after them, but he could not find them.”
“Probably if they were poor they would let you know,” suggested Mrs. Harcourt with a sneer.
“No; Mrs. Mordaunt was always proud, and I fear would suffer in silence rather than let their wants be known.”
About an hour after dinner Mrs. Harcourt signified her intention of returning to the hotel.