was but
passing through, on her way from a tour of visits in the North, to
another tour of visits somewhere else. The newspapers were not even off
the blinds. The proprietor of the house cowered over a bed-candle and a
furtive teapot in the back drawing-room. Lady Kew's gens were not here.
The tall canary ones with white polls, only showed their plumage and
sang in spring. The solitary wretch who takes charge of London houses,
and the two servants specially affected to Lady Kew's person, were the
only people in attendance. In fact, her ladyship was not in town. And
that is why, no doubt, Barnes Newcome said nothing about her being
there.

CHAPTER LII. Family Secrets

The figure cowering over the furtive teapot glowered grimly at Barnes as
he entered; and an old voice said--"Ho, it's you!"

"I have brought you the notes, ma'am," says Barnes, taking a packet of
those documents from his pocket-book. "I could not come sooner, I have
been engaged upon bank business until now."

"I dare say! You smell of smoke like a courier."

"A foreign capitalist: he would smoke. They will, ma'am. I didn't smoke,
upon my word."

"I don't see why you shouldn't, if you like it. You will never get
anything out of me whether you do or don't. How is Clara? Is she gone to
the country with the children? Newcome is the best place for her."

"Doctor Bambury thinks she can move in a fortnight. The boy has had a
little----"

"A little fiddlestick! I tell you it is she who likes to stay, and makes
that fool, Bambury, advise her not going away. I tell you to send her to
Newcome. The air is good for her."

"By that confounded smoky town, my dear Lady Kew?"

"And invite your mother and little brothers and sisters to stay
Christmas there. The way in which you neglect them is shameful, it is,
Barnes."

"Upon my word, ma'am, I propose to manage my own affairs without your
ladyship's assistance," cries Barnes, starting up, "and did not come at
this time of night to hear this kind of----"

"Of good advice. I sent for you to give it you. When I wrote to you to
bring me the money I wanted it was but a pretext; Barkins might have
fetched it from the City in the morning. I want you to send Clara and
the children to Newcome. They ought to go, sir. That is why I sent for
you; to tell you that. Have you been quarrelling as much as usual?"

"Pretty much as usual," says Barnes, drumming on his hat.

"Don't beat that devil's tattoo; you agacez