No one knew, but Bessie breathed the word, ’Was not that young Mytton there?’

It was not taken up, for no one liked to pronounce the obvious inference.  Besides, the Admiral was in haste, not thinking it well that Mr. Foxholm should be longer kept under surveillance in the shop, among the bread, bacon, cheeses, shoes, and tins of potted meat.

He was then called for; and on his loudly exclaiming that he had been very strangely treated, the Admiral quietly told him that Mrs. Rudden had been disturbed at so unusual a way of demanding her rent, and had come for advice on the subject; and to satisfy their minds that all was right, Mr. Foxholm would, no doubt, consent to wait till the young lady could be referred to.  Mr. Foxholm did very decidedly object; he said no one had any right to detain him when the lady’s signature was plain, and Admiral Merrifield had seen him in her society, and he began an account of the philanthropical purpose for which he said the money had been intended, but he was cut short.

‘You must be aware,’ said the Admiral, ’that this is not an ordinary way of acting, and whatever be your purpose, Mrs. Rudden must ascertain your authority more fully before paying over so large a sum.  I give you your choice, therefore, either of accompanying us to the Gap, or of remaining in Mrs. Rudden’s parlour till we return.’

The furtive eye glanced about, and the parlour was chosen.  Did he know that the policeman stationed himself in the shop outside?

The dinner at the Gap was over, and Miss Elmore, the headmistress, was established in an arm-chair, listening to the outpouring of her former pupil and the happy mother about all the felicities and glories of their present life, the only drawback being the dullness and obstructiveness of the immediate neighbours.  ’I thought Miss Merrifield was your neighbour—­Mesa?’

’Oh no—­quite impossible!  These are Merrifields, but the daughters are two regular old goodies, wrapped up in Sunday schools and penny clubs.’

’Well, that is odd!  The editor of the —–­ came down in the train with me, and said he was going to see Mesa—­Miss Elizabeth Merrifield.’

‘I do think it is very unfair,’ began Arthurine; but at that moment the door-bell rang.  ‘How strange at this time!’

‘Oh! perhaps the editor is coming here!’ cried Arthurine.  ’Did you tell him I lived here, Miss Elmore?’

‘Admiral Merrifield,’ announced the parlour-maid.

He had resolved not to summon the young lady in private, as he thought there was more chance of common-sense in the mother.

‘You are surprised to see me at this time,’ he said; ’but Mrs. Rudden is perplexed by a communication from you.’

‘Mrs. Rudden!’ exclaimed Arthurine.  ’Why, I only sent her word that I was too busy to go through her accounts to-day, and asked her to come to-morrow.  That isn’t against the laws of the Medes and Persians, is it?’