’I hope not.  Now, I want to ask you a question.  Among those trunks and cases and packages of Lord Maulevrier’s which were sent here by heavy coach, after they were landed at Southampton, do you remember two cases of books?’

’There are two large cases among the luggage, my lady; very heavy cases, iron clamped.  I should not be surprised if they were full of books.’

‘Have they never been opened?’

‘Not to my knowledge.’

‘Are they locked?’

‘Yes, my lady.  There are two padlocks on each chest.’

‘And are the keys in your possession?’

‘No, my lady.’

‘Where are the cases?’

‘In the Oak Room, with the rest of the Indian luggage.’

’Let them remain there.  No doubt those cases contain the books of which
I have been told.  You have not heard that the person calling himself
Rajah of Bisnagar has been here since my illness, have you?’

‘No, my lady; I am sure he has not been here.’

Lady Maulevrier gave him a scrutinising look.

’He might have come, and my people might have kept the knowledge from me, out of consideration for my infirmity,’ she said.  ’I should be very angry if it were so.  I should hate to be treated like a child.’

’You shall not be so treated, my lady, while I am in this house; but I know there is no member of the household who would presume so to treat you.’

‘They might do it out of kindness; but I should loathe such kindness,’ said Lady Maulevrier, impatiently.  ’Though I have been smitten down, though I lie here like a log, I have a mind to think and to plan; and I am not afraid to meet danger, face to face.  Are you telling me the truth, Steadman?  Have there been no visits concealed from me, no letters kept from me since I have been ill?’

’I am telling you nothing but the truth, my lady.  No letter has been kept from you; no visitor has been to this house whose coming you have not been told of.’

‘Then I am content,’ said her ladyship, with a sigh of relief.

After this there followed some conversation upon business matters.  James Steadman was trusted with the entire management of the dowager’s income, the investment of her savings.  His honesty was above all suspicion.  He was a man of simple habits, his wants few.  He had saved money in every year of his service; and for a man of his station was rich enough to be unassailable by the tempter.

He had reconciled his mind to the monotonous course of life at Fellside in the beginning of things; and, as the years glided smoothly by, his character and wants and inclinations had, as it were, moulded themselves to fit that life.  He had easy duties, a comfortable home, supreme authority in the household.  He was looked up to and made much of in the village whenever he condescended to appear there; and by the rareness of his visits to the Inn or the Reading-room, and