"Well, it wasn't a very easy job, and that's the fact. I've seen many women as could be got over with much less trouble. You see the party seems to be in very comfortable quarters here,--all right to eat and drink, and not too much to do, and that sort of thing." "Well, what then?" "Why, when parties are in that way they naturally don't like movin'. Besides, there's another strong reason I've found out why that young woman don't want to go." "And that is--" "She's uncommon fond, of you. Ah, you may shake your head, but I'm sure of it." "If she made you believe that, Mr. Effingham," said Sir Charles with a very grim smile, "I'm afraid she's got the better of you altogether." "Has she, by Jove! No, no. The proof of the puddin's in the eatin', Sir Charles; and whether I've done the trick or not you'll find out before I've finished. Any how, I'm satisfied." "Well, as you say that, and as the payment of the fifty pounds depends upon the 'trick being done,' as you call it, I suppose before you've finished your story I shall be satisfied too." "What was I saying? Oh, about her being nuts on you still,--O yes,--and I had to talk to her about that, and tell her it wouldn't do now you was married, and, in fact, that that was one of the great reasons for her to go, as parties had observed her feelin's. That seemed to touch her,--for her pride's awful,--and she began to give way, and at last, after a long palaver, she said she'd go, though not before I--" "Beg your pardon, Sir Charles," said Banks, opening the door; "Mrs. Hammond, Sir Charles, wishes to speak to you, Sir Charles: she's here at the door." "Show her in, by all means," said Mitford, turning to Effingham and laying his finger on his lips; then to him, _sotto voce_, "Keep your mouth shut!" "I'm very sorry to trouble you, Sir Charles," said Mrs. Hammond, entering hurriedly, with a slight bow to the stranger and a glance of astonishment at his appearance; "but I will detain you only an instant. Have you heard anything of Miss Gillespie?" "Of Miss Gillespie? I, Mrs. Hammond? Not a word. What has happened?" "Of course you haven't, but the most extraordinary thing! This morning Miss Gillespie did not come into Alice's room as usual; so the child dressed by herself, and went to Miss Gillespie's room. She tried the door, and found it fast; so, concluding that her governess was ill,--she's subject to headaches, I believe,--Alice went down to breakfast. Afterwards she tried Miss Gillespie's door again, but with no better success; and then she came to me. I sent for Gifford, Mr. Hammond's man, you know; and after calling out once or twice, he burst the door open; we all rushed in, and found the room empty." "Empty!" cried Sir Charles. "The devil!" burst out Mr. Effingham. "I beg your pardon! What an odd thing!"