"Now, Dame," said Griffith, doggedly, "are you better?" "Ay, I thank you." "Then listen to me. When you and I set up house together, I had two thousand pounds. I spent it on this house. The house is yours. You told me so, one day, you know." "Ah, you can remember my faults." "I remember all, Kate." "Thank you, at least, for calling me Kate. Well, Griffith, since you abandoned us, I thought, and thought, and thought, of all that might befall you; and I said, 'What will he do for money? My jewels, that you did me the honour to take, would not last you long, I feared. So I reduced my expenses three-fourths at least, and I put by some money for your need." Griffith looked amazed. "For my need?" said he. "For whose else? I'll send for it, and place it in your hands--to-morrow." "To-morrow? Why not to-day?" "I have a favour to ask of you first." "What is that?" "Justice. If you are fond of money, I too have something I prize: my honour. You have belied and insulted me, sir; but I know you were under a delusion. I mean to remove that delusion, and make you see how little I am to blame: for, alas! I own I was imprudent. But, oh Griffith! as I hope to be saved, it was the imprudence of innocence and over-confidence." "Mistress," said Griffith, in a stern, yet agitated voice, "be advised, and leave all this: rouse not a man's sleeping wrath. Let bygones be bygones." Mrs. Gaunt rose, and said, faintly, "So be it. I must go, sir, and give some orders for your entertainment." "Oh; don't put yourself about for me," said Griffith, "I am not the master of this house." Mrs. Gaunts lip trembled, but she was a match for him. "Then are you my guest," said she; "and my credit is concerned in your comfort." She made him a curtsy, as if he were a stranger, and marched to the door, concealing, with great pride and art, a certain trembling of her knees. At the door she found Ryder, and bade her follow, much to that lady's disappointment; for she desired a tête-à-tête with Griffith, and an explanation. As soon as the two women were out of Griffith's hearing, the mistress laid her hand on the servant's arm, and, giving way to her feelings, said, all in a flutter, "Child, if I have been a good mistress to thee, show it now. Help me keep him in the house till Father Francis comes." "I undertake to do so much," said Ryder, firmly. "Leave it to me, mistress." Mrs. Gaunt threw her arms round Ryder's neck and kissed her. It was done so ardently, and by a woman hitherto so dignified and proud, that Ryder was taken by surprise, and almost affected. As for the service Mrs. Gaunt had asked of her, it suited her own designs. "Mistress," said she, "be ruled by me; keep out of his way a-bit, while I get Miss Rose ready. You understand." "Ah! I have one true friend in the house," said poor Mrs. Gaunt. She then confided in Ryder, and went away to give her own orders for Griffith's reception.