I wouldn't trust anybody else, and you've never disappointed me yet." The steward gasped and, doubting whether he had heard aright, looked towards his old master, but in vain, for the confirmation of further compliments.

In all his long years of service he had never been praised by him before.

He leaned forward eagerly and began to discuss ways and means.
In the next room conversation was also proceeding, but fitfully.

Miss Nugent's consternation when she closed the door behind her and found herself face to face with Mr.Hardy was difficult of concealment.

Too late she understood the facial contortions of Mr.Wilks, and, resigning herself to the inevitable, accepted the chair placed for her by the highly pleased Jem, and sat regarding him calmly from the other side of the fender.
[Illustration: "Miss Nugent's consternation was difficult of concealment."] "I am waiting here for my father," she said, in explanation.
"In deference to Wilks's terrors I am waiting here until he has gone," said Hardy, with a half smile.
There was a pause.