These items of news, collected by Mr. Troy, were duly communicated
to Mrs. Ferrari, whose anxiety about her husband made her a frequent,
a too frequent, visitor at the lawyer's office. She attempted
to relate what she had heard to her good friend and protectress.
Agnes steadily refused to listen, and positively forbade any further
conversation relating to Lord Montbarry's wife, now that Lord
Montbarry was no more. 'You have Mr. Troy to advise you,' she said;
'and you are welcome to what little money I can spare, if money
is wanted. All I ask in return is that you will not distress me.
I am trying to separate myself from remembrances--'her voice faltered;
she paused to control herself--'from remembrances,' she resumed,
'which are sadder than ever since I have heard of Lord Montbarry's death.
Help me by your silence to recover my spirits, if I can. Let me
hear nothing more, until I can rejoice with you that your husband
is found.'

Time advanced to the 13th of the month; and more information of the
interesting sort reached Mr. Troy. The labours of the insurance commission
had come to an end--the report had been received from Venice on that day.





CHAPTER VIII


On the 14th the Directors and their legal advisers met for the
reading of the report, with closed doors. These were the terms