"I am sorry, sir, if my description could have done you any good, but
I have not the remotest idea how the girl looked. I did not know
till this morning even, that there was such a person in my house as a
sewing-woman. I leave all such domestic concerns entirely with Mrs.
Daniels."

Mr. Gryce again bowed low and ventured another question. The answer
came as before, distinctly to my ears.

"O, I may have seen her, I can not say about that; I very often run
across the servants in the hall; but whether she is tall or short,
light or dark, pretty or ugly, I know no more than you do, sir." Then
with a dignified nod calculated to abash a man in Mr. Gryce's
position, inquired,

"Is that all?"

It did not seem to be, Mr. Gryce put another question.

Mr. Blake give him a surprised stare before replying, then courteously
remarked,

"I do not concern myself with servants after they have left me. Henry
was an excellent valet, but a trifle domineering, something which I
never allow in any one who approaches me. I dismissed him and that
was the end of it, I know nothing of what has become of him."

Mr. Gryce bowed and drew back, and Mr. Blake, with the haughty step
peculiar to him, passed by him and reentered his house.