"No, that's the dickens of it!" acknowledged Mr. Charles Plackett. "It is something tangible that I want. At present I am fighting with shadows."
Aaron Stone appeared to have recovered his temper in Nullington, for when he got back, in the course of the afternoon, he was in quite a blithe humour. Marching straight into the large kitchen, with his stick and umbrella, he called the two maids about him to unbutton his gaiters, and both stooped down to the task.
"I saw them scoundrels o' lawyers a-driving through the town in their gig!" he cried, though he rarely condescended to address the girls, unless it was to scold. "Two of 'em sat in it. Nice rascals they looked--and a fine pace they went at!"
Encouraged by this affability, Phemie responded in kind--telling him that the Squire had gone into such a passion while talking to the lawyers as to dash his beef-tea into the grate, cup and all--Hubert having mentioned this little episode to the gardener in the hearing of the servants; and the news so tickled old Aaron that he chuckled for half an hour.
"I'd ha' done it myself--I'd ha' done it myself," he reiterated. "The Squire has got some proper spirit left in him yet."
[CHAPTER VI.]
SUDDEN TIDINGS.
Mrs. Carlyon and Miss Winter reached Paris, on their way home, on the 18th of May. There was no especial need for them to hurry. They had received a letter from Mr. Denison--written, as usual, by Hubert Stone, but signed with the Squire's inimitable autograph--a few days previously, in which the 1st of June was named as the date when Ella would be looked for at Heron Dyke; and it was further intimated that the Squire would like to see Mrs. Carlyon at the same time. Under these circumstances, Mrs. Carlyon decided that a week could not be more pleasantly spent than in Paris, after which they could still afford two or three days in London before going down to Norfolk.
On the morning of the 20th the ladies went out shopping, and when they got back to their hotel, Ella found a telegram awaiting her. It was from Hubert Stone:
"I deeply regret to inform you that Mr. Denison died very suddenly last evening, about midnight. Please telegraph back any arrangements you may wish to have carried out; also say when you may be expected at the Hall."