She rose to answer this letter, which had disturbed her, and, opening the door, found Mr. Stevens just coming into the hall.
"Can you spare me a moment?" he said, with some anxiety.
She answered "Yes," trusting that his business was really business.
"I have had such an extraordinary letter from Mr. Sandford," he began. "I wrote to him about money matters, and his answer is, that he is not in a position to advance a penny anywhere. I am afraid things have gone very wrong; have you heard anything?"
"Nothing to this effect. Mrs. Dorriman cannot imagine why he does not come."
"He says, 'I am utterly penniless, and can do nothing!' It is most extraordinary!"
"I wonder if Mrs. Dorriman knows anything? shall I go and find her?"
"No; I have written to Mr. Sandford for an explanation; till I hear again there is no use making her unhappy."
"It will affect her?" Margaret asked, with real interest.
"It will affect her. She told me once she had no settlements, and was entirely dependent upon her brother."