"Mrs. Shackleton, happy the man who has such a lady to take care of his worldly goods." "I'm no lady, sir; I'm not above my business," she said, with another hard little curtsey. "I tries to do my dooty accordin' to my conscience. Sorry to have to disturb you, sir." "Not the least; no disturbance," he said, sauntering out of the room, with another yawn. He was cudgelling his brains to think what civility he could do the old lady, or how he could please or make her friendly; but Mrs. Shackleton had her northern pride, he knew, which was easily ruffled, and he must approach her very cautiously. CHAPTER LX. SIR HARRY'S KEY. Up to his room he went; his things were all there--he wished to get rid of the dust and smuts of his railway journey. He made his toilet rapidly; and just as he was about to open his door, a knock came to it. "What is it?" he asked. "The vicar has called, sir, and wants to know if you can see him." "Certainly. Tell him I'll be down in a moment." Mr. Marston had foreseen this pursuit with a prescience of which he was proud. He went downstairs, and found the white-haired vicar alone in the drawing-room. "I am so delighted you have come," said Richard Marston, advancing quickly, with an outstretched hand, from the door, without giving him a moment to begin. "I have only had time to dress since I arrived, and I have made up my mind that it is better to replace this key in your hand, without using it--and, in the meantime, it is better in your keeping than in mine. Don't you think so?" "Well, sir," said the good vicar, "I do. It is odd, but the very same train of thought passed through my mind, and, in fact, induced me to pay you this visit. You see it was placed in my charge, and I think, until it is formally required of me, I should not part with it." "Just so," acquiesced the young man. "We both acted, perhaps, a little too precipitately." "So we did, sir," said Richard Marston, "but I take the entire blame on myself. I'm too apt to be impulsive and foolish. I generally think too late; happily this time, however, I did reflect, and with your concurrence, I am now sure I was right." The young man paused and thought, with his hand on the vicar's arm. "One thing," he said, "I would stipulate, however; as we are a good deal in the dark, my reason for declining to take charge of the key would be but half answered, as I must be a great deal in this house, and there may be other keys that open it, and I can't possibly answer for servants, and other people who will be coming and going, unless you will kindly come into the next room with me for a moment." The vicar consented; and Mr. Marston was eloquent. Mrs. Shackelton was sent for, and with less reluctance opened the door for the vicar, whom she loved. She did not leave it, however--they did not stay long. In a few minutes the party withdrew. "Won't you have some luncheon?" asked Richard, in the hall.