In the meantime Mrs French had written to her brother at Gloucester.  The maid-servant, in making Miss Camilla’s bed, and in ’putting the room to rights,’ as she called it—­which description probably was intended to cover the circumstances of an accurate search—­had discovered, hidden among some linen, a carving knife! such a knife as is used for the cutting up of fowls; and, after two days’ interval, had imparted the discovery to Mrs French.  Instant visit was made to the pantry, and it was found that a very aged but unbroken and sharply-pointed weapon was missing.  Mrs French at once accused Camilla, and Camilla, after some hesitation, admitted that it might be there.  Molly, she said, was a nasty, sly, wicked thing, to go looking in her drawers, and she would never leave anything unlocked again.  The knife, she declared, had been taken upstairs, because she had wanted something very sharp to cut the bones of her stays.  The knife was given up, but Mrs French thought it best to write to her brother, Mr Crump.  She was in great doubt about sundry matters.  Had the carving knife really pointed to a domestic tragedy, and if so, what steps ought a poor widow to take with such a daughter?  And what ought to be done about Mr Gibson?  It ran through Mrs French’s mind that unless something were done at once, Mr Gibson would escape scot-free.  It was her wish that he should yet become her son-in-law.  Poor Bella was entitled to her chance.  But if Bella was to be disappointed from fear of carving knives, or for other reasons, then there came the question whether Mr Gibson should not be made to pay in purse for the mischief he had done.  With all these thoughts and doubts running through her head, Mrs French wrote to her brother at Gloucester.

There came back an answer from Mr Crump, in which that gentleman expressed a very strong idea that Mr Gibson should be prosecuted for damages with the utmost virulence, and with the least possible delay.  No compromise should be accepted.  Mr Crump would himself come to Exeter and see the lawyer as soon as he should be told that there was a lawyer to be seen.  As to the carving knife, Mr Crump was of opinion that it did not mean anything.  Mr Crump was a gentleman who did not believe in strong romance, but who had great trust in all pecuniary claims.  The Frenches had always been genteel.  The late Captain French had been an officer in the army, and at ordinary times and seasons the Frenches were rather ashamed of the Crump connection.  But now the timber merchant might prove himself to be a useful friend.

Mrs French shewed her brother’s letter to Bella and poor Bella was again sore-hearted, seeing that nothing was said in it of her claims.  ‘It will be dreadful scandal to have it all in the papers!’ said Bella.

‘But what can we do?’

‘Anything would be better than that,’ said Bella.  ’And you don’t want to punish Mr Gibson, mamma.’

’But my dear, you see what your uncle says.  What can I do, except go to him for advice?’