went on in a conversational tone, such as he had used when he spoke of
the coming to the farm of Edgar Caswall: "When Mr. Caswall came in, the
negro went a short distance away and there remained. It gave me the idea
that he expected to be called, and intended to remain in sight, or within
hail. Then Mimi got another cup and made fresh tea, and we all went on
together."

"Was there anything uncommon--were you all quite friendly?" asked Sir
Nathaniel quietly.

"Quite friendly. There was nothing that I could notice out of the
common--except," he went on, with a slight hardening of the voice,
"except that he kept his eyes fixed on Lilla, in a way which was quite
intolerable to any man who might hold her dear."

"Now, in what way did he look?" asked Sir Nathaniel.

"There was nothing in itself offensive; but no one could help noticing
it."

"You did. Miss Watford herself, who was the victim, and Mr. Caswall, who
was the offender, are out of range as witnesses. Was there anyone else
who noticed?"

"Mimi did. Her face flamed with anger as she saw the look."

"What kind of look was it? Over-ardent or too admiring, or what? Was it
the look of a lover, or one who fain would be? You understand?"

"Yes, sir, I quite understand. Anything of that sort I should of course