Craven
were too high and mighty to attend to the concerns of Miss Elmsdale
himself, Miss Blake must look out for another solicitor.
"The sooner the better, madam," said Mr. Craven, with great state; and
Miss Blake left in a huff, and actually did go off to a rival attorney,
who, however, firmly declined to undertake her business.
Then Helena came as peacemaker. She smoothed down Mr. Craven's
ruffled feathers and talked him into a good temper, and effected
a reconciliation with her aunt, and then nearly spoilt everything
by adding:
"But indeed I think Mr. Patterson had better not come to see us for the
present, at all events."
"You ungrateful girl!" exclaimed Mr. Craven; but she answered, with a
little sob, that she was not ungrateful, only--only she thought it would
be better if I stayed away.
And so Taylor took my duties on him, and, as a natural consequence, some
very pretty disputes between him and Miss Blake had to be arranged by
Mr. Craven.
Thus the winter passed, and it was spring again--that spring day of
which I have spoken. Mr. Craven and I were alone in the office. He had
come late into town and was reading his letters; whilst I, seated by a
window overlooking the Thames, gave about equal attention to the river
outside and a tedious document lying on my table.
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