Elizabeth shook her head.
'It'll take me a full day.

But never mind; we need not begin to-night.' 'No, we won't begin to-night!' said the Squire emphatically.
'There!--I've found a chair for you.

Is that fire as you like it ?' What astonishing amiability! The attack of nerves which had assailed Elizabeth upstairs began to disappear.

She took the chair the Squire offered her, cleared a small table, and produced from the despatch-box she had brought into the room with her a writing-block and a fountain-pen.
'Do you want to dictate anything ?' 'Not at all!' said the Squire.

'I've got nothing ready for dictating.