“My card will have told you who I am,” she began, addressing herself smilingly to Miss Matilda, who was wearing the heavy gold chain which marked her as occupying for the time the position of elder sister. “For the present I am staying with my friends at Foljambe Court, and my business here is to see you with reference to Vale View House, which is to let, and which, I am told, is your property. I was directed in the first instance to a house agent’s in the town, but I prefer to deal with principals whenever I find it possible to do so.”
All this was spoken rapidly in the clear staccato tones of one who was in the habit of making herself heard in whatsoever company she might be.
“Will you not be seated?” It was Miss Matilda’s soft voice, in marked contrast to Lady Pell’s, which preferred the request.
Lady Pell sat down on the nearest chair, while the sisters seated themselves side by side on the sofa opposite her.
“It’s not for myself that I’m looking for a house,” she resumed, “but for my stepdaughter, Mrs. Loftus, who has been ordered by her physician to exchange the air of London for seven or eight months of the year for that of the country. I had a glimpse of Vale View—there’s not much of it can be seen from the road—when I was out driving the other day, and it seemed to me just the kind of place Amelia is in want of. By the way, I have not yet inquired as to the rent—a point,” she smilingly added, “which is usually regarded as one of paramount importance.”
“The rent is one hundred guineas a year,” answered Miss Matilda.
“Hum. I fancy that is rather more than Amelia thought of giving. Still, I don’t suppose a few guineas more or less would be allowed to stand in her way if the place suited her in other respects. I should like to go thoroughly over it, so as to be in a position to send her a full report. I presume there is no objection to my doing so.”
“None whatever, Lady Pell. The keys shall be placed at your disposal whenever you please.”
“There’s no time like the time present. I’ve nothing to do this afternoon and I’ll go at once. By-the-bye, is there anyone that knows the place who can go with me?”
The sisters looked at each other in perplexity.