Naomi noted Mr Saxby's uneasiness, and she also became aware of the fact that Arthur Prayle strolled slowly off into the conservatory, where he became deeply interested in the flowers, taking off a dead leaf here and there, and picking up fallen petals, accidentally getting near the open window the while. "Now, Mr Saxby," said Aunt Sophia sharply, "you have brought me down those shares?" "Well, no, Miss Raleigh," he said, business-like now at once. "I did not buy them because--" "You did not buy them?" "No, ma'am. You see, shares of that kind--" "Pay twelve and fifteen per cent, and I only get a pitiful three." "Every year, ma'am, regularly. Shares like those you want me to buy generally promise fifteen, pay at the rate of ten on the first half-year--" "Well, ten per cent, then," cried Aunt Sophia. "Don't pay any dividend the second half-year, and the shares remain upon the buyer's hands. No one will take them at any price." "Oh, this is all stuff and nonsense, Mr Saxby!" cried Aunt Sophia angrily. "Not a bit of it, ma'am," cried the stockbroker firmly. "But I say it is!" cried Aunt Sophia, with a stamp of her foot. "I had set my mind upon having those shares." "And I had set my mind upon stopping you, ma'am. That's why I got up at six o'clock this morning and came down." "Mr Saxby!" "No use for you to be cross ma'am. Fighting against my own interest in the present; but while I have your business to transact, ma'am, I won't see your little fortune frittered away." "Mr Saxby!" exclaimed Aunt Sophia again. "I can't help it, ma'am; and of course you are perfectly at liberty to take your business elsewhere. I want to make all I can out of you by commission and brokerage, etcetera; but I never allow a client of mine to go headlong, and run himself, or herself, down a Cornish mine, without trying to skid the wheels." "You forget that you are addressing ladies, Mr Saxby." "Beg pardon; yes," said the stockbroker, trying hard to recall what he had said. "Very sorry; but those are my principles, ma'am.--I'm twenty pounds out of pocket, Miss Raleigh," he continued, "by not doing this bit of business of your aunt's." "And I think it is a very great piece of presumption on your part, Mr Saxby. You need not address my niece, sir; she does not understand these matters at all. Am I to understand then, that you refuse to buy these shares for me?" "Yes, ma'am, must distinctly. I wouldn't buy 'em for a client on any consideration." "Very well, sir; that will do," said Aunt Sophia shortly. "Good-morning." "But, my dear madam--" "I said that will do, Mr Saxby," said Aunt Sophia stiffly. "Good-morning." Mr Saxby's lips moved, and he seemed to be trying to say something in his own defence, and he also turned towards Naomi, as if seeking for sympathy; but she only cast down her eyes.