Mr. Cobb afterwards was fond of telling the story of
this interview.
"Would you believe it?" said he. "He spoke to me about nothing much but
the trust, but somehow my stomach seemed quieter at once. The sinking--
just HERE, you know--was dreadful before he came up, and the brandy was
no good. It was a something in his way that did it."
Dr. Midleton was obliged to call on Mrs. Fairfax as a newcomer. He
found Mrs. Harrop there, and Mrs. Fairfax asked him to step into the
back parlour, into which no one in Langborough had hitherto been
admitted. Gowns were tried on in the shop, the door being bolted and
the blind drawn. Dr. Midleton found four little shelves of books on the
cupboard by the side of the fireplace. Some were French, but most of
them were English. Although it was such a small collection, his book-
lover's instinct compelled him to look at it. His eyes fell upon a
Religio Medici, and he opened it hastily. On the fly-leaf was written
"Mary Leighton, from R. L." He had just time, before its owner entered,
to replace it and to muse for an instant.
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