"Mr. Annesley, if I might take the liberty--"

"Ah, MacNab?" Samuel Annesley swung round promptly.

"I trust, sir, I do not intrude?"

"'Intrude,' man? Why?"

"Oh, nothing, sir," answered the little man vaguely, with a dubious
glance at Mr. Annesley's eyes. "Only I thought perhaps--at such a
moment--old scenes, old associations--and you leaving us for ever,
sir!"

"Tut, nonsense! You have something to say to me. Anything
forgotten?"

"Nothing in the way of business, sir. But it occurred to me--"
Mr. MacNab lowered his voice, "--Your good lady, up at the
burial-ground. You will excuse me--at such a time: but it may be
years before I am spared to return home, and if I can do anything in
the way of looking after the grave, I shall be proud. Oh no--" he
went on hurriedly with a flushed face: "for _love_, sir; for love, of
course: or, as I should rather say, for old sake's sake, if that's
not too bold. It would be a privilege, Mr. Annesley."

Samuel Annesley stood considering his late confidential clerk with
bent brows. "I am much obliged to you, MacNab; but in this matter
you must do as you please. You are right in supposing that I was
sincerely attached to my wife--"