"Yes, ma'am," said the chambermaid, retiring.
Emily was puzzled by the request, and, judging from the girl's description that it could not be Maxwell, began to dread a new enemy.
The chambermaid presently returned, and said the gentleman's name was Benson.
Emily's perplexity was not diminished, but she resolved to see the applicant at the door of the room, so that, if his errand was from Maxwell, she could easily retire from his presence. Accordingly she instructed the girl to show him to the door on the gallery.
"I beg your pardon, ma'am," said Uncle Nathan, as soon as he reached the position assigned him; "you are Miss Dumont, I believe?"
"The same," said she, as calmly as her fluttering heart would permit. "May I beg to know your business with me?"
"Yes, ma'am," said Uncle Nathan, bluntly; "but don't be scart. I know something of your trials; and I trust the Lord will give you strength to endure them with patience."
"Really, sir, you astonish me! May I be allowed to ask how you became acquainted with my affairs?"
"All in good time, ma'am; I have in my possession a document, which, I'm told, will set matters all right with you."
"What is it, sir?"—and Emily was still more astonished at the singularity of the adventure.