done, or what people think of him,
you have to dig it out of him--if you can!'

Mrs. Gaddesden did not very much like him. His brusque sincerity
made people of her sort uncomfortable. But she would have liked very
much to know whether there was anything up between him and Pamela.
Really, Miss Bremerton's discretion about such things was too
tiresome--ridiculous--almost rude! It was no good trying, even, to
discuss them with her.

As to the disinheriting of Aubrey, no more had been heard of it.
Miss Bremerton had told Aubrey when he was at home for twenty-four
hours at Christmas that, as far as she knew, the codicil was still
unsigned. But Aubrey didn't seem to care the least whether it was or
no. If Beryl wished him to raise the question again with his father,
of course he would; otherwise he greatly preferred to leave it
alone. And as Beryl had no will or wishes but his, and was, in
Alice's opinion, only too absurdly and dependently in love, the
sleeping dogs were very much asleep; and the secret of Mannering's
future disposal lay hid impenetrably in the Squire's own breast.

At the same time, Mrs. Gaddesden was firmly persuaded that whatever
Elizabeth Bremerton wished or advised would ultimately be done.

What an extraordinary position that young woman now held among them!
Nearly three months had now elapsed since Mrs. Gaddesden's autumn
visit--since Desmond had gone into training at his artillery
camp--since a third of the park had been ploughed up, and since
Elizabeth Bremerton had thrown up her post only to come back next
day as dictator.

Yes--_dictator_! Mrs. Gaddesden was never tired of thinking about
it, and was excitedly conscious that all the neighbourhood, and all
their friends and kinsfolk were thinking and speculating with her.
At the beginning of November, before she and Margaret Strang went
back to town, the Squire had announced to all of them that Miss
Bremerton had become his 'business secretary,' as well as his
classical assistant. And now, after three months, the meaning of
this notice was becoming very clear. The old agent, Mr. Hull, had
been dismissed, and moderately--very moderately--pensioned. It was
said that Miss Bremerton, on looking into his accounts, saw no
reason at all for any special indulgence. For, in addition to
everything else, she turned out to be a trained accountant!--and
money matters connected with the estate were being probed to the
bottom that had never been probed befor