Part 24 (1/2)

”Ah, the housekeeper,” he cried quickly ”This ain to bear oodness to take it to her, and say that I beg she will see me for a few minutes at once?”

The old lady's white forehead puckered up beneath her grey hair, as she looked in a startled way at the speaker, and then turned to the butler, as holding Chester's card between his first and second fingers

”Who is this gentleman?” she said rather sternly, and for me moment Chester was so completely taken aback that the butler had time to speak

”Here's his card, h Master's seen it, entleman, and that if he had business he was to write”

The housekeeper turned to Chester, raising her eyebrows a little, and he had by this time recovered his balance

”Of course,” he said, ”I can quite understand Mr Ja your pardon, sir?”

”Letbefore this h, sir, if you have business with the family?”

”No, certainly not,” said Chester ”My business is with Miss Clareborough, and I insist upon seeing her”

”Excuse entleman, you er on business unless she knehat that business was”

”A stranger--on business!” cried Chester, angrily ”My good woman, why do you talk like this to me?”

”Really, sir, I do not understand you,” said the housekeeper, with dignity

”Let me see you alone,” said Chester, earnestly

”Certainly not, sir Have the goodness to say what is your business here”

”You know it is impossible,” cried Chester ”See me alone--send this man away”

”Stay where you are, Mr Roach,” said the housekeeper, who nified manner, have been thesoh evidently does not know you”

”Nor you either?” said Chester, sarcastically

”I, sir? Certainly not,” replied the housekeeper

Chester stared at her angrily

”Do you dare to tell me this?” he cried

”Co ”We can't have you always co to see people who don't want to see you”

”Stand back, you insolent scoundrel!” cried Chester, turning upon the butler fiercely; and the man obeyed on the instant