The only response was a sound of angry voices from the region of the kitchen, amidst which he recognised his sister's familiar tones. Surely Jemima was not having trouble with the servants! Approaching the kitchen door, he pushed it slightly open, and peeped into the room. Miss Jemima was emphatically laying down the law to the young and comely cook, who stood back against the table, facing her mistress, with the rolling-pin in her hand, and rebellion in every curve of her figure and in every feature of her face. "You are a saucy minx," Miss Jemima was saying, in her sharpest tones. "'Minx' yourself," was the pert reply. "No mistress shan't interfere with me and my work, as you've done this last week. If you was a real lady, you wouldn't do it." "You rude girl, I'll teach you to keep your place." "Keep your own," rapped out the girl; "and it 'ull be the better for all parties. As for me, I shan't keep this place, and I give you warning from now, so there!" At this moment, the girl caught sight of her master's face at the door, and flinging herself around to the table, resumed her work. Miss Jemima, in her great anger, advanced a pace or two, with uplifted hand, towards the broad back of her rebellious cook: "Cobbler" Horn, observing the position of affairs, spoke in emphatic tones. "Jemima, I want you at once." Miss Jemima started, and then, without a word, followed her brother to the dining-room. "Brother," she said, snatching, in her anger, the first word, "that girl has insulted me grossly." "Yes, Jemima, I heard; but try to forget it for a moment. I have great news for you. This letter is about cousin Jack." In a moment Miss Jemima had forgotten her insubordinate cook. "So the poor creature is found!" she said when she had taken, and read, the letter. "Yes, and he proves to be in a condition which will render doubly welcome the good news he will shortly receive." "Then you persist in your intention to hand over to him a share of uncle's money?" "To be sure I do!" "Well," retorted Miss Jemima, somewhat acrimoniously, "it's a pity. That portion of the money will be dispersed in a worse manner even than it was gathered." "Don't say that, Jemima," said her brother gravely. "Well," asked Miss Jemima, dispensing with further protest, "what are you going to do?" "The first thing is to see Messrs. Tongs and Ball. You see they ask me to do so. I can't get away to-day. To-morrow I am to visit our village, you know; and, as it is on the way to London, the best plan will be to go on when I am so far." So it was settled, and Miss Owen was instructed to write the lawyers, saying that Mr. Horn would wait upon them on the morning of the third day from that time.