"No, sir. I shall, of course, do something for Mr. Rugg, though not as much, perhaps, as my poor cousin would have done. Mr. Rugg, will you see me to my carriage?"
"Certainly, ma'am."
Mrs. Middleton was anxious to go away. The conversation had taken a turn which she did not like. It almost seemed as if the lawyer was trying to find out something, and she thought it best to get Rudolph away from the influence, lest Mr. Brief should catechise him, and draw out something to her disadvantage.
"Mr. Rugg," she said, as they were going down stairs, "I advise you not to go near Mr. Brief again."
"Why not, ma'am?"
"These lawyers are crafty. Before you knew what he was after, he would extract the secret from you, and there would be trouble for both of us."
"Do you think so, ma'am? I didn't see nothing of it?"
"I think he suspects something. That matters nothing if it does not go beyond suspicion. Unless he can impeach your testimony and draw you into contradictions, we are safe, and you are sure of an income for life."
"You needn't be afraid for me, ma'am. We are in the same boat."
She frowned a little at the familiar tone in which he spoke. It was as if he put himself on an equality with her. But it was true, nevertheless, and it was unpleasant for her to think of.