‘I have sent for ye,’ said Melton, in his arid, measured way, ‘to the intent that ye shall know that from this moment your services are dispensed with, and yourselves dismissed incontinent from the house, your packs taken with you and your wages paid in full.’ A moment’s stupefaction fell upon the group at his words. It was not that those were unexpected, or indeed unwelcome: only faith to their promise had ever resigned them to the prospect of remaining on: but the harsh abruptness and perfidy of the deed was what took their breath away. Nol was the first to find his voice. ‘Is this your promise to his Honour, ye dommed faith-breaker!’ he bellowed, his face reddening with fury. ‘There was no undertaking, save what was conditional on my will,’ answered Melton, concise and clear; ‘nor, since the subject was first mooted, has my will gathered from ye any inducement to consider your claims favourably. The head being gone, the body is best to follow. Shortly, if ye question the legality of the act, here is Master Harnett to answer to the law for it.’ The attorney bent, with a sound as if he creaked rustily at the waist. ‘Answer to the devil!’ cried Nol. ‘Dost think, man, we wished to serve thee? ’Twas faith to his Honour bound us, as it binds not him that hath been a curse to this house ever since his black shadow crossed its threshold. But to dismiss us like this, and his Honour not an hour in his grave! Well, we’ll go.’ ‘Yes, you’ll go,’ answered the other imperturbably, ‘and not the slower for your insolence. Dare me, you rascal, and I’ll bring the law on you.’ He spoke quite quietly and wickedly, a thin line of teeth showing between his lips. Nol stood staring at him a moment, inexpressible emotions seething within his breast; then turned to the others:-- ‘Come Phineas, come Willy--we were best away, to bide our young master’s return, sith in his absence this house is no longer a place for honest men.’ They were leaving the room, old Harlock following, when Melton called upon her to stay. She had been standing all this while, a silent inscrutable figure, somewhat apart, and now turned, hearing the summons. ‘Ay. What is it, Melton?’ ‘I did not mean to include you in this dismissal.’ ‘Ay.’ ‘Think you I have no bowels of gratitude to the one that nursed me in my sickness and gave me back to health?’ ‘What is it ye want of me?’ ‘Your continuance in my service, that is all.’ ‘To cook your victuals, and make your bed, and give you what comfort a woman may?’ ‘Something to that effect.’ ‘And share your confidence, maybe?’ ‘Not to abuse it, at least.’ She stood staring at him a long while--so keenly that her dark piercing eyes seemed, like a burning-glass, to focus a spot of red even on his sallow cheek. And at last she spoke:-- ‘So be it, then. Of this house I have been, and am, and must ever be, until I perish with it, mayhap, off the face of the earth. So be it.’