Granville was annoyed; he did not feel in the least inclined for an interview with an unknown lady. Why should the man be so officious? Then as he looked at the card his heart gave a sudden bound. Had Catherine sought him out? But what an unlikely idea; West is not an uncommon name. Nevertheless, it was with a quickened step that he crossed the hall to the room where the visitor was waiting.
His heart sank when the little old lady, almost old enough to be his grandmother, rose to meet him.
“I must explain my business,” she said, looking at him with a keen scrutiny that would have confused a less self-possessed person. “I asked for Lord Mayne, but I have come on a matter connected with yourself.”
“With me? I am afraid——”
“Of course, you do not know me. Now will you tell me why I have had the good fortune to find you in London at this unseasonable time?”
Granville felt more and more astonished, and began to think that his visitor was mad, and must be humoured.
“I have come here on urgent private business,” he answered. “But you wished to see Lord Mayne; is it on any matter that I can answer?”
“As I said before, you can probably satisfy me better than anyone else. But before I put any more questions, let me tell you a story.”
And forthwith she poured out to him all the history of her quarrel with Catherine’s father, and of her reconciliation with his daughter, carefully avoiding the mention of the latter’s name. But Granville, listening attentively, soon solved the enigma. He could hardly wait with patience till she concluded, saying—
“I am naturally anxious about my niece’s future. She will inherit a larger fortune than she has any idea of. I may die at any moment, and she will be left alone in the world, a prey to fortune-hunters, and quite unprepared to grapple with such difficulties as are sure to meet her.”