Mrs. Mowbray considered things with a grave face.
"I have a request to make," Mr. Southwode began then; "a request which I hope Mrs. Mowbray will receive as of purely business character, and in no wise occasioned by curiosity. May I be informed, at a convenient time, what has been paid by Mrs. Busby to this house, on Miss Carpenter's account?"
"Nothing," said Mrs. Mowbray.
"No bills for schooling? or board?"
"Nothing at all. Antoinette's bills I have rendered, and they have been paid. I have never presented any bill for Miss Carpenter, and none has ever been asked for."
Rotha exclaimed, but Mr. Southwode went on——
"You will allow me to ask for it now."
Mrs. Mowbray looked doubtfully at the speaker.
"By what right could I put Mrs. Busby's obligations upon you? How could I account to her?"
"Count them my obligations," he said pleasantly. "I do not wish Miss Carpenter to leave any debts behind her, when she goes from her own country to mine. I will be much obliged, if you will have the account made out in my name and sent to me."