Early on the next morning he called on Mr. Goffe, the attorney, with the object of making some inquiry as to the condition of the lawsuit. Mr. Goffe did not much love the elder tailor, but he specially disliked the younger. He was not able to be altogether uncivil to them, because he knew all that they had done to succour his client; but he avoided them when it was possible, and was chary of giving them information. On this occasion Daniel asked whether it was true that the other side had abandoned their claim. "Really Mr. Thwaite, I cannot say that they have," said Mr. Goffe. "Can you say that they have not?" "No; nor that either." "Had anything of that kind been decided, I suppose you would have known it, Mr. Goffe?" "Really, sir, I cannot say. There are questions, Mr. Thwaite, which a professional gentleman cannot answer, even to such friends as you and your father have been. When any real settlement is to be made, the Countess Lovel will, as a matter of course, be informed." "She should be informed at once," said Daniel Thwaite sternly: "and so should they who have been concerned with her in this matter." "You, I know, have heavy claims on the Countess." "My father has claims, which will never vex her, whether paid or not paid; but it is right that he should know the truth. I do not believe that the Countess herself knows, though she has been led to think that the claim has been surrendered." Mr. Goffe was very sorry, but really he had nothing further to tell. CHAPTER XIII. NEW FRIENDS.