As soon as it was possible, he erected a handsome monument above his grave, which detailed his real name and rank, and then the Baron turned his attention to Hannah. She still remained in the Cottage and appeared to have no intention of leaving it. Von Steinberg knew that in order to accomplish this, she must have some assistance. All the Professor’s modest savings did not amount to a couple of hundred pounds, and these the widow was very anxious should be deposited in a bank for her against a time of need. “But how are you to live meanwhile, Hannah?” questioned Von Steinberg who was most anxious for her welfare; “you have never kept house for yourself yet, you know, and money goes a very little way in London. You must let me help you! I will take no denial! Look on me as a brother, and let me have the pleasure of doing for you, what dear old Ricardo would have done for a friend of mine, left in similar circumstances.” “But I do not need it. I shall have enough!” persisted Hannah. “How do you intend to get it? What do you mean to do?” he asked. “Heaps of things,” she replied; “I am a good needlewoman and a good cook!” “Needlewoman! Cook!” exclaimed the Baron, indignantly, “do you suppose for an instant, that I will allow the widow of my dear friend Ricardo to engage in such menial pursuits? You are much mistaken if you do. Besides, you have adopted his title. How do you suppose that will accord with the occupations you speak of?” “Never mind!” said Hannah, decidedly, “I know what I’m about, and I don’t want any money from you.” She was obstinate, and he ceased to worry her on the subject. All the same, he often wondered how it was, that she continued, without aid, to occupy the cottage and retain the services of her little maid. Once or twice he questioned Charlotte, but could get no satisfactory information from her. “The Markiness goes out to see her friends in the evenings mostly,” she said, “and all day she works at her dresses, and shows me how to cook the dinner.” This reticence on the part of the Marchesa di Sorrento, made Von Steinberg all the more eager to pursue her and win her to be his. Perhaps she knew this, as well as he did himself, at any rate it had the effect of binding him more closely to her. Shortly after the Professor’s death, his friend felt anxious to communicate with him. It would be the best test he had ever had in his life, he thought, if dear old Ricardo would come back in a recognisable form and assure him of his identity. He never doubted but that Hannah, when the first shock of her husband’s death was over, would gladly fall in with his wishes and hold a séance, so that the Professor might have an opportunity of communicating with them both again. But, to his surprise, she steadfastly opposed the idea.