18, and heard the scraping of a chair on the kitchen floor as Bates rose to meet him.
"Hello, Bates!" he cried wearily, "here I am again, you see! Anything new or interesting during my absence ?" "Mrs.Paxton--" began the valet, stopping when his master uttered a sharp exclamation.

Theydon had completely forgotten Miss Beale and his sister.
"Yes," he said.

"Sorry I interrupted you.

What of Mrs.Paxton ?" "I saw her, sir, as you ordered, and she promised to call on Miss Beale.
She kem here about an hour ago--" "Who?
My sister ?" "Yes, sir.

She was anxious to see you.