consideration of other matters.

True to her promise, Miss Blake appeared next morning in Buckingham
Street. Without bestowing upon me even the courtesy of "good morning,"
she plunged into the subject next her heart.

"Did you see him?" she asked.

I told her I had. I repeated much of what he said; I assured her he
was determined to fight the matter, and that although I did really not
think any jury would give a verdict in his favour, still I believed,
if the matter came into court, it would prevent our ever letting the
house again.

"I should strongly recommend you, Miss Blake," I finished, "to keep what
he offers, and let us try and find another tenant."

"And who asked you to recommend anything, you fast young man?" she
demanded. "I am sure I did not, and I am very sure Mr. Craven would not
be best pleased to know his clerks were setting themselves up higher
than their master. You would never find William Craven giving himself
airs such as you young whipper-snappers think make you seem of some
consequence. I just tell him what I want done, and he does it, and you
will please to do the same, and serve a writ on that villain without an
hour's delay."

I asked on what grounds we were to serve the writ. I pointed out that
Colonel Morris did not owe her a penny, and would not owe her a penny
for some months to come; and in reply she said she would merely inquire
if I meant that she and her poor niece were to go to the workhouse.