"This last insult is known but to you and me. If it ever gets abroad, you leave my service that very hour."
This injunction set Ryder thinking. However, she obeyed it to the letter. Her place was getting better and better; and she was a woman accustomed to keep secrets.
A pressing letter came from Mr. Atkins.
Mrs. Gaunt replied that her husband had come to Hernshaw, but had left again; and the period of his ultimate return was now more uncertain than ever.
On this Mr. Atkins came down to Hernshaw Castle. But Mrs. Gaunt would not see him. He retired very angry, and renewed his advertisements, but in a more explicit form. He now published that Griffith Gaunt, of Hernshaw and Bolton, was executor and residuary legatee to the late Griffith Gaunt of Coggleswade; and requested him to apply directly to James Atkins, Solicitor, of Gray's Inn, London.
In due course this advertisement was read by the servants at Hernshaw, and shown by Ryder to Mrs. Gaunt.
She made no comment whatever; and contrived to render her pale face impenetrable.
Ryder became as silent and thoughtful as herself, and often sat bending her black judicial brows.
By and by dark mysterious words began to be thrown out in Hernshaw village.