"Let me try her. The draft is ready. I'll call on her to-morrow." He
did call, and was told she did not know him.

"You tell her I am a lawyer, and it is very much to her interest to see
me," said Mr. Oldfield to the page.

He was admitted, but not to a _tete-a-tete._ Polly was kept in the
room. The Somerset had peeped, and Oldfield was an old fellow, with
white hair; if he had been a young fellow, with black hair, she might
have thought that precaution less necessary.

"First, madam," said Oldfield, "I must beg you to accept my apologies
for not coming sooner. Press of business, etc."

"Why have you come at all? That is the question," inquired the lady,
bluntly.

"I bring the draft of a deed for your approval. Shall I read it to
you?"

"Yes; if it is not very long." He began to read it. The lady
interrupted him characteristically.

"It's a beastly rigmarole. What does it mean--in three words?"

"Sir Charles Bassett secures to Rhoda Somerset four hundred pounds a
year, while single; this is reduced to two hundred if you marry. The
deed further assigns to you, without reserve, the beneficial lease of
this house, and all the furniture and effects, plate, linen, wine,
etc."