and shrank from her at Gethin, and she feared her now.  And yet how necessary was her assistance!  Of her own self she was well aware that she could do nothing to avert that coming peril from her husband and her son, the shadow of which had darkened all her married life, and was now deepening into blackest doom.  It was absolutely necessary that Mrs. Basil should obtain the confidence of Solomon, and perhaps of Charley also, and yet this unlooked-for and swift success of hers was far from welcome to poor Harry.  It really almost seemed that there was truth in what her son had spoken in jest—­that there was witchcraft in it.

Solomon was now talking earnestly to Mrs. Basil in low tones, while Charley looked toward his mother with raised eyebrows, and a comic expression, which seemed to say, “She’s got him, you see; I did see a black cat on the stairs.”

If she could have overheard her husband’s talk, it would still have been inexplicable to her.

“Then you think this sale at Crompton will take place directly after the funeral?”

“I should certainly imagine so—­yes.”

“There is something—­you needn’t tell my wife, because I wish it to be a surprise for her—­that I should like to buy at it; something I have long had my eye on.”

“Some piece of furniture, I suppose.  Well, you must be prepared to give a good sum, I fear.  From the curiosity of the thing—­the reputation, I mean, of poor Mr. Carew—­it is likely things will fetch more than their price.”

“Perhaps so.  But I should like to know, as soon as possible, when the sale comes off.  From your connection with the place, you will be able to get news of this before the general public—­I mean the exact date.”

“No doubt.  I will write to-morrow, and beg that the information may be sent me.”

“I should feel much obliged if you would, Mrs. Basil.”

“I’ll write this very night.  You wish to know the day on which the sale of the furniture may be fixed?”

“Yes; and of all the other things:  of the estates as well, for instance; there may be some land that may prove a good investment.  Don’t make a fuss about it, but say you have a friend who is interested.  The catalogue of effects, with the dates appointed for the sale of each, will, of course, be settled down there.  I want to have an early copy.”

“That is very simple,” said Mrs. Basil, making a memorandum in her pocket-book:  “you shall be among the very first to get one, Mr. Coe—­you may rely on that.”

CHAPTER XXXVIII.

OVER THE ROOF.