ion on the
housekeeper's part was the obstacle of Miss Bygrave's present seclusion
within the limits of her own room. The question of gaining personal
access to her was a question which must be decided before any
communication could be opened with Mr. Pendril. Mrs. Lecount put on her
bonnet at once, and called at North Shingles to try what discoveries she
could make for herself before post-time.

On this occasion Mr. Bygrave was at home, and she was admitted without
the least difficulty.

Careful consideration that morning had dec ided Captain Wragge on
advancing matters a little nearer to the crisis. The means by which
he proposed achieving this result made it necessary for him to see the
housekeeper and her master separately, and to set them at variance by
producing two totally opposite impressions relating to himself on their
minds. Mrs. Lecount's visit, therefore, instead of causing him any
embarrassment, was the most welcome occurrence he could have wished
for. He received her in the parlor with a marked restraint of manner for
which she was quite unprepared. His ingratiating smile was gone, and an
impenetrable solemnity of countenance appeared in its stead.

"I have ventured to intrude on you, sir," said Mrs. Lecount, "to express
the regret with which both my master and I have heard of Miss Bygrave's
illness. Is there no improvement?"

"No, ma'am," replied the captain, as briefly as possible. "My niece is
no better."

"I have had some experience, Mr. Bygrave, in nursing. If I could be of
any use--"

"Thank you, Mrs. Lecount. There is no necessity for our taking advantage
of your kindness."

This plain answer was followed by a moment's silence. The housekeeper
felt some little perplexity. What had become of Mr. Bygrave's elaborate
courtesy, and Mr. Bygrave's many words? Did he want to offend her? If he
did, Mrs. Lecount then and there determined that he should not gain his
object.

"May I inquire the nature of the illness?" she persisted. "It is not
connected, I hope, with our excursion to Dunwich?"

"I regret to say, ma'am," replied the captain, "it began with that
neuralgic attack in the carriage."

"So! so!" thought Mrs. Lecount. "He doesn't even _try_ to make me think
the illness a real one; he throws off the mask at starting.--Is it a
nervous illness, sir?" she added, aloud.

The captain answered by a solemn affirmative inclination of the head.

"Then you have _two_ nervous sufferers in the hou