“It will be so, my dear,” he replied; “and I almost think Mrs. Calverley herself will be glad to get rid of me.”
“If she does, she will provide for you.”
“I am not sure of that. Old servants are not always rewarded—very rarely, indeed, I should say. Ah! if my good old master had lived, it would have been different! But I feel convinced I shall not retain my place unless something happens; and it may happen!” he added, significantly.
“What do you mean, Mr. Norris?”
“I can't explain my meaning. But perhaps, on consideration, Mrs. Calverley may deem it expedient to keep me on.”
“I'll give her a hint,” said Laura, as she quitted the room.
II. THE CABINET.
On going up-stairs, after looking for her mistress in the bed-chamber, where she had left her, Laura proceeded to a small cabinet, in which the late Mr. Calverley was wont to transact his private business, write his letters, and hold consultations with his tenants and others. Here, in a large oak chest, all the old gentleman's deeds and bulky documents were deposited, while an escritoire contained his smaller papers, account-books, and memoranda.