“Thank you, ma'am. You are polite, like the rest of the Harpers. But words, fair or foul, won't pay anything. Where's the Squire? He and I have not yet settled the little business I came about.” “Mr. Grimes, perhaps you are not aware that my father-in-law is dangerously ill--can enter upon no business, and see no person.” “In-deed?” His thorough insolence of manner brought Agatha's dignity back. She remembered that she was a lady belonging to the house, and that this fellow, whose behaviour made his grey hairs so little worthy of respect, was her father-in-law's invited guest. “Sir,” she said, drawing up her little figure, and trying to look as much Mrs. Locke Harper as possible, “you must be aware that in the present state of the house a stranger's presence is undesirable. It is not too late to order the carriage. Will you favour me by going to sleep at Kingcombe?” Mr. Grimes looked disposed to object; but she had her hand on the bell, and her manner, though perfectly civil, was resolute--so resolute, that he became humble. “Well, Mrs. Harper, I'm willing to oblige a former client, but I should like to put to you a few questions before leaving.” “Put them.” “First--what's wrong with the old gentleman?” “He has had a paralytic stroke--probably caused, the doctor says, by some great shock, which was too much for him, being an old man.” The other old man looked uneasy, as though some touch of nature smote him for the moment. “You don't think”--here he crept backward, shambling and cowardly--“you don't think I had any hand in causing this--this very melancholy occurrence.” “You?” There was undisguised scorn in Agatha's lip. As if any Mr. Grimes could do harm to a Harper! “Nothing of the kind--pray do not disquiet your conscience unnecessarily.” “But I did bring him unpleasant news, for which I'm rather sorry now. I had much better have told his son. When shall I be likely to see my friend Nathanael?” His friend Nathanael! Agatha could have crushed him and stamped upon him, had he been worth it. “Mr. Locke Harper,” she said, trying hard to keep her temper--“Mr. Locke Harper will be at home to-morrow night. You can then make to him any communications you please. At the present, the greatest benefit you can confer on this sad house is to absent yourself from it.” “'Pon my life, Mrs. Harper, you might waste a little more breath on me, lest I might think it worth while to spend a little too much breath on you and yours. Do you know what claim I have upon your family?” “That of being Major Harper's lawyer, I believe, and possibly mine before my marriage. It is not likely that my husband has continued to use your services afterwards.”