Grace flung the letters into her waste-paper basket with angry scorn.
"To think people can dare to pretend they did not know I was in town, when I drove in the park nearly every day!" she exclaimed.
"I hope you are satisfied, madam," said Faunce, when he called upon Lady Perivale the day after the trial.
No one had seen Faunce in court, though Faunce had seen and heard all that happened there. His work had been finished before the case came on, and the family solicitors in Bedford Row took all the credit of the successful result, and congratulated Lady Perivale upon their acumen in retaining Sir Joseph Jalland.
"I hope you are satisfied, madam," Faunce said modestly, when he called in Grosvenor Square, in response to Lady Perivale's request.
"I am more than satisfied with your cleverness in bringing the wretched business to an issue," she said; "and now all I hope is that I may be able to forget it, and that I shall never hear Colonel Rannock's name again."
"I hope you will not, madam—not in any unpleasant connection," Faunce answered gravely.
"I must refer you for your professional charges to my lawyers, Mr. Faunce," pursued Grace. "But I must beg you to accept the enclosed as a token of my sincere gratitude for the trouble you have taken, and as a souvenir of your success." She handed him an envelope.
"I assure you, Lady Perivale, I do not require anything beyond the ordinary payment for my time and trouble."
"Oh, but you must take this, to please me," she answered. "I want you to remember that I value your services at more than their professional price."