Without waiting for his reply she went into the back parlor, and returned with pen, ink, and paper.  Arranging a blotting-book on her knees, and looking a model of cheerful submission, she placed herself once more in front of her master’s chair.

“Shall I write from your dictation, sir?” she inquired.  “Or shall I make a little sketch, and will you correct it afterward?  I will make a little sketch.  Let me see the letter.  We are to advertise in the Times, and we are to address ‘An Unknown Friend.’  What shall I say, Mr. Noel?  Stay; I will write it, and then you can see for yourself:  ’An Unknown Friend is requested to mention (by advertisement) an address at which a letter can reach him.  The receipt of the information which he offers will be acknowledged by a reward of—­’ What sum of money do you wish me to set down, sir?”

“Set down nothing,” said Noel Vanstone, with a sudden outbreak of impatience.  “Money matters are my business—­I say money matters are my business, Lecount.  Leave it to me.”

“Certainly, sir,” replied Mrs. Lecount, handing her master the blotting-book.  “You will not forget to be liberal in offering money when you know beforehand you don’t mean to part with it?”

“Don’t dictate, Lecount!  I won’t submit to dictation!” said Noel Vanstone, asserting his own independence more and more impatiently.  “I mean to conduct this business for myself.  I am master, Lecount!”

“You are master, sir.”

“My father was master before me.  And I am my father’s son.  I tell you, Lecount, I am my father’s son!”

Mrs. Lecount bowed submissively.

“I mean to set down any sum of money I think right,” pursued Noel Vanstone, nodding his little flaxen head vehemently.  “I mean to send this advertisement myself.  The servant shall take it to the stationer’s to be put into the Times.  When I ring the bell twice, send the servant.  You understand, Lecount?  Send the servant.”

Mrs. Lecount bowed again and walked slowly to the door.  She knew to a nicety when to lead her master and when to let him go alone.  Experience had taught her to govern him in all essential points by giving way to him afterward on all points of minor detail.  It was a characteristic of his weak nature—­as it is of all weak natures—­to assert itself obstinately on trifles.  The filling in of the blank in the advertisement was the trifle in this case; and Mrs. Lecount quieted her master’s suspicions that she was leading him by instantly conceding it.  “My mule has kicked,” she thought to herself, in her own language, as she opened the door.  “I can do no more with him to-day.”

“Lecount!” cried her master, as she stepped into the passage.  “Come back.”

Mrs. Lecount came back.

“You’re not offended with me, are you?” asked Noel Vanstone, uneasily.

“Certainly not, sir,” replied Mrs. Lecount.  “As you said just now—­you are master.”