have found out. I'll send express to Sheffield and have a completely new set put up for you.'
'For twelve seventeen six, of course?'
'Oh! dear no, Mr. Dockwrath. The lowest figure for ready money, delivered free, is fifteen ten.'
'I couldn't think of paying more than Mrs. Mason.'
'Ah! but that was a damaged set; it was, indeed. And she merely wanted it as a present for the curate's wife. The table was quite sprung, and the music-stool wouldn't twist.'
'But you'll send them to me new?'
'New from the manufactory; upon my word we will.'
'A table that you have never acted upon—have never shown off on; standing in the middle, you know?'
'Yes; upon my honour. You shall have them direct from the workshop, and sent at once; you shall find them in your drawing-room on Tuesday next.'
'We'll say thirteen ten.'
'I couldn't do it, Mr. Dockwrath—' And so they went on, bargaining half the way up to town, till at last they came to terms for fourteen eleven. 'And a very superior article your lady will find them,' Mr. Kantwise said as he shook hands with his new friend at parting.
One day Mr. Dockwrath remained at home in the bosom of his family, saying all manner of spiteful things against Lady Mason, and on the next day he went up to town and called on Round and Crook. That one day he waited in order that Mr. Mason might have time to write; but Mr. Mason had written on the very day of the visit to Groby Park, and Mr. Round junior was quite ready for Mr. Dockwrath when that gentleman called.
Mr. Dockwrath when at home had again cautioned his wife to have no intercourse whatever 'with that swindler at Orley Farm,' wishing thereby the more thoroughly to imbue poor Miriam with a conviction that Lady Mason had committed some fraud with reference to the will. 'You had better say nothing about the matter anywhere; d'you hear? People will talk; all the world will be talking about it before long. But that is nothing to you. If people ask you, say that you believe that I am engaged in the case professionally, but that you know nothing further. As to all which Miriam of course promised the most exact obedience. But Mr. Dockwrath, though he only remained one day in Hamworth before he went to London, took care that the curiosity of his neighbours should be sufficiently excited.
Mr. Dockwrath felt some little trepidation at the heart as he walked into the office of Messrs. Round and Crook in Bedford Row. Messrs. Round and Crook stood high in the profession, and were men who in the ordinary way of business would have had no
