North seemed to utter some words of assent, and then Salis heard a faint rustling sound approaching in the darkness, which, in spite of his manhood and firmness, made the curate wince, as he felt how much he was at North's mercy if this complaint took an unpleasant mental turn. But the rustling was explained directly after by the click of the door-lock. Then a pale bar of light shone into the room as the opening enlarged, and as it was evidently held ready Salis passed out, the door closed sharply behind him, the lock snapped into its place, and he shuddered as he heard a low, mocking laugh, followed by the vibration of the floor as the invalid began to pace rapidly up and down. "What ought I to do?" muttered Salis, as he stood irresolutely upon the mat, till he felt a touch upon his arm, and, turning, found that Mrs Milt had evidently been waiting for him to come out. "Well, sir?" she whispered, as they went down. "Well, Mrs Milt?" "You don't think that he is--a little--you don't think that is coming on?" "What, lunacy?" The housekeeper nodded. "Absurd, Mrs Milt!" cried Salis, "absurd!" "Thank goodness, sir!" "A little out of order and eccentric. But what made you ask that question?" "Well, sir, it was something Mr Thompson said." Volume 3, Chapter XI. SALIS MAKES A DISCOVERY. "I cannot interfere, really, my dear Mary--I cannot interfere. Mrs Berens is a friend of yours, and one of my parishioners, but what can I do?" "She is alone in the world, and in great trouble." "But here is a foolish woman; goes and listens to a plausible lawyer, and makes at his suggestion a number of investments, and then repents and comes to the parson." "Well, to whom better?" said Mary, smiling. "For advice over her sins it would be right enough," said Salis. "I don't think Mrs Berens has any. If so, dear, they must be only small ones." "But to come to the parson for help on money matters is absurd. This is the third time she has been." "Yes, dear." "It is not as if the investments had gone wrong." "No, dear; she mistrusts Mr Thompson." "Perhaps without reason. Let her get the money back, then, at as little loss as she can, and put it in consols." "There, you see, you can give good advice, Hartley." "Oh, any noodle could give advice like that. It isn't perfect." "No, dear," said Mary sadly; "for Mrs Berens says that this Mr Thompson tells her it is impossible to withdraw now, and it seems he has been very angry with her--almost threatening." "Confound his insolence!" "He told her she ought not to have invested if she meant to change her mind, and that she is making a fool of him." "Impossible!" said Salis sharply. "She might make him a rogue." "You will help her, will you not, Hartley?" "Well, I'll see what I can do; but I shall be an unfair advocate, for I hate that man." "And you will go and see Mr North to-day."