My present purpose is to say a few words to you on private matters connected with papers that belonged to Lord Ongar.

I still hope that you will admit me--P." Having read these words while standing, she made an effort to think what might be the best course for her to follow.

As for Lord Ongar's papers, she did not believe in the plea.

Lord Ongar could have had no papers interesting to her in such a manner as to make her desirous of seeing this man or of hearing of them in private.

Lord Ongar, though she had nursed him to the hour of his death, earning her price, had been her bitterest enemy; and though there had been something about this count that she had respected, she had known him to be a man of intrigue and afraid of no falsehoods in his intrigues--a dangerous man, who might perhaps now and again do a generous thing, but one who would expect payment for his generosity.
Besides, had he not been named openly as her lover?
She wrote to him, therefore, as follows: "Lady Ongar presents her compliments to Count Pateroff and finds it to be out of her power to see him at present." This answer the visitor took and walked away from the front door without showing any disgust to the servant, either by his demeanor or in his countenance.