"
The old lady opened her eyes and her mouth.
"It is true. They lay the damages at ten thousand pounds!"
With a shriek the countess-dowager began to dance. Ten thousand pounds!
Ten thousand pounds would keep her for ever, invested at good interest.
She called the parson some unworthy names.
"I cannot give you any of the details," said Maude, in answer to the
questions pressed upon her. "Percival will never speak of it, or allow
me to do so. I learnt it--I can hardly tell you how I learnt it--by
implication, I think; for it was never expressly told me. We had a
mysterious visit one night from some old parson--parson or lawyer; and
Percival and Mr. Carr, who happened to be at our house, were closeted
with him for an hour or two. I saw they were agitated, and guessed what
it was; Dr. Ashton was bringing an action. They could not deny it."
"The vile old hypocrite!" cried the incensed dowager. "Ten thousand
pounds! Are you sure it is as much as that, Maude?"
"Quite. Mr. Carr told me the amount."
"I wonder you encourage that man to your house."
"It was one of the things I stood out against--fruitlessly," was the
quiet answer. "But I believe he means well to me; and I am sure he is
doing what he can to serve my husband. They are often together about this
business."
"_Of course_ Hartledon resists the claim?"
"I don't know. I think they are trying to compromise it, so that it shall
not come into court.
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