She was, virtually, his agent, and had no right to conceal from him what she had been doing, and why she had done it.
It was necessary, however, that he should waste no time in thoughts of this kind, but should immediately state to Mr Keswick the reason of his visit; for it could not be supposed he had called in a merely social way.

"I wish to speak to you," he said, "on a little matter of business." At these words Mrs Null excused herself, and went into the house.

Her mind was troubled as she wondered what the business was which had made this New York gentleman so extraordinarily desirous to find her cousin.
Was it anything that would injure Junius?
She looked back as she entered the door, but the object of her solicitude was sitting with a face so calm and composed that it showed very plainly he did not expect any communication which would be harmful to him.
"It is a satisfaction," thought Mr Croft, "a very great satisfaction that I can enter upon the object of my visit knowing that my affairs and my actions have not been discussed by this gentleman and Mrs Null.".