She was less disinclined
to go this time, however, for she felt not a little curious about
the ring.
"I want you to come back to the house," he said, abruptly, the
moment she entered his room.
For such a request Mary was not prepared. Even since the ring was
found, so long a time had passed that she never expected to hear
from the house again. But Tom was now so much better, and Letty
so much like her former self, that, if Mrs. Redmain had asked
her, she might perhaps have consented.
"Mr. Redmain," she answered, "you must see that I can not do so
at your desire."
"Oh, rubbish! humbug!" he returned, with annoyance. "Don't fancy
I am asking you to go fiddle-faddling about my wife again: I
don't see how you _can_ do that, after the way she has used
you! But I have reasons for wanting to have you within call. Go
to Mrs. Perkin. I won't take a refusal."
"I can not do it, Mr. Redmain," said Mary; "the thing is
impossible." And she turned to leave the room.
"Stop, stop!" cried Mr. Redmain, and jumped from his chair to
prevent her.
He would not have succeeded had not Mewks met her in the doorway
full in the face. She had to draw back to avoid him, and the man,
perceiving at once how things were, closed the door the moment he
entered, and stood with his back against it.
"He's in the drawing-room, sir," said Mewks.
A scarcely perceptible sign of question was made by the master,
and answered in kind by the man.
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