I was almost stunned by this heavy blow. Some observations I dropped in regard to Buckleton were not complimentary to that individual. I could not stop to think then. The first business was to quiet Lilian, and I wrote her a note, saying that Buckleton had taken offence at something I had said; that the affair was a mere trifle, and I would send the man away with a flea in his ear when I went home to dinner. I sent Biddy off with this note.
A keeper in my house! What could I do?
CHAPTER XIII.
THE SECOND STEP.
“I TOLD you so!”
It was not easy for me to tell what to do. Eight hundred dollars and all the expenses of the attachment. The keeper was in my house at that moment and poor Lilian appeared to be frightened out of her wits. It was easy enough for me to flourish and call it a small matter, but I could not put my hand upon the money which was to lift the load from my shoulders.
What a crash there would be if this keeper was not driven from the house that very day! What a text it would afford for “dear ma!” How she would declare that it was a judgment upon me for my wickedness in turning Lilian from the maternal bosom! How poor Lilian would suffer under this terrible infliction!