But I think (with your ladyship's permission) I can lay my hand on a person who is capable of deciding whether I am right or wrong." "Is the person now in the house ?" my mistress asked, after waiting a little.
"The person has left the house, my lady." That answer pointed as straight to Miss Rachel as straight could be.

A silence dropped on us which I thought would never come to an end.

Lord! how the wind howled, and how the rain drove at the window, as I sat there waiting for one or other of them to speak again! "Be so good as to express yourself plainly," said my lady.

"Do you refer to my daughter ?" "I do," said Sergeant Cuff, in so many words.
My mistress had her cheque-book on the table when we entered the room--no doubt to pay the Sergeant his fee.

She now put it back in the drawer.