We had neither of us much appetite for dinner, though we tried to talk cheerfully about indifferent things.  When we returned into the drawing-room, Miss Matty unlocked her desk and began to look over her account-books.  I was so penitent for what I had said in the morning, that I did not choose to take upon myself the presumption to suppose that I could assist her; I rather left her alone, as, with puzzled brow, her eye followed her pen up and down the ruled page.  By-and-by she shut the book, locked the desk, and came and drew a chair to mine, where I sat in moody sorrow over the fire.  I stole my hand into hers; she clasped it, but did not speak a word.  At last she said, with forced composure in her voice, “If that bank goes wrong, I shall lose one hundred and forty-nine pounds thirteen shillings and fourpence a year; I shall only have thirteen pounds a year left.”  I squeezed her hand hard and tight.  I did not know what to say.  Presently (it was too dark to see her face) I felt her fingers work convulsively in my grasp; and I knew she was going to speak again.  I heard the sobs in her voice as she said, “I hope it’s not wrong—­not wicked—­but, oh!  I am so glad poor Deborah is spared this.  She could not have borne to come down in the world—­she had such a noble, lofty spirit.”

This was all she said about the sister who had insisted upon investing their little property in that unlucky bank.  We were later in lighting the candle than usual that night, and until that light shamed us into speaking, we sat together very silently and sadly.

However, we took to our work after tea with a kind of forced cheerfulness (which soon became real as far as it went), talking of that never-ending wonder, Lady Glenmire’s engagement.  Miss Matty was almost coming round to think it a good thing.

“I don’t mean to deny that men are troublesome in a house.  I don’t judge from my own experience, for my father was neatness itself, and wiped his shoes on coming in as carefully as any woman; but still a man has a sort of knowledge of what should be done in difficulties, that it is very pleasant to have one at hand ready to lean upon.  Now, Lady Glenmire, instead of being tossed about, and wondering where she is to settle, will be certain of a home among pleasant and kind people, such as our good Miss Pole and Mrs Forrester.  And Mr Hoggins is really a very personable man; and as for his manners, why, if they are not very polished, I have known people with very good hearts and very clever minds too, who were not what some people reckoned refined, but who were both true and tender.”

She fell off into a soft reverie about Mr Holbrook, and I did not interrupt her, I was so busy maturing a plan I had had in my mind for some days, but which this threatened failure of the bank had brought to a crisis.  That night, after Miss Matty went to bed, I treacherously lighted the candle again, and sat down in the drawing-room to compose a letter to the Aga Jenkyns, a letter which should affect him if he were Peter, and yet seem a mere statement of dry facts if he were a stranger.  The church clock pealed out two before I had done.