This began in a visit that Lady Burdon, very decidedly out of temper, paid to Mr. Pemberton at the office in Bedford Row. Relations between Lady Burdon and the little old lawyer had radically altered since that occasion of their first meeting at Miller's Field. Mr. Pemberton, who in these years had relinquished to his son all the business save the cherished Burdon affairs, had long been aware that the misgivings which had clouded his first happy impression of Lady Burdon had been the juster estimate of her character. He had perceived the dominance she exercised over her indulgent husband; he had accepted, after what protest he dared, that the management of the estate was in her hands. He had foreseen the fruits of the wilfulness of a woman thrown out of balance by the sudden acquisition of place and possessions; it was because these fruits were now being plucked that he preferred to keep the Burdon affairs in his own hands. He could not bear the thought of handing over to his son this honoured trust in shape that would cause a lifting of the eyebrows: "Father, I've been going through the Burdon papers. I say, they seem in a precious bad way ... I don't understand...." He could not endure the thought of that. On this day when Lady Burdon came angrily--and defiantly--to Bedford Row, the position was raised very acutely between them. "I know--I know," Mr. Pemberton was saying. "But, Lady Burdon, you must perceive the possibility--nay, in the circumstances, the extreme probability--that though Lord Burdon countenances in the smallest particular all you find it necessary to spend--and on the property not to spend--he yet may not appreciate the state of affairs--the imperative necessity that a halt be called. I have written to him frequently. The replies come from you." She parted her lips to speak, but he had already had sufficient taste of her mood to make him hasten with: "I know. I know. Lord Burdon has told us both that he hates business and that he likes to encourage you in the pleasure you find in it. That is admitted, Lady Burdon. We have no quarrel there. My point is--how far is Lord Burdon to be suffered to indulge his dislike? how long is he to be kept in ignorance? I think no longer. That is why I purpose making a call on him. I purpose it, again, because I believe Lord Burdon's influence--when he understands--may join with mine to move you, where mine alone causes you annoyance." He indicated the papers that littered the table. "You see the position. I tell you again--I tell you with all the seriousness of which I am capable--that the crash is as near to you as I am near to you sitting here. I tell you that it is not to be averted unless for a period--a mere few years--Burdon House is given up. It will let immediately on a short lease. There, alone, will be more than relief--assistance. It will save you much that you now find necessary--there is the relief of the whole situation."