There is no necessity for our taking advantage
of your kindness."
This plain answer was followed by a moment's silence. The housekeeper
felt some little perplexity. What had become of Mr. Bygrave's elaborate
courtesy, and Mr. Bygrave's many words? Did he want to offend her? If he
did, Mrs. Lecount then and there determined that he should not gain his
object.
"May I inquire the nature of the illness?" she persisted. "It is not
connected, I hope, with our excursion to Dunwich?"
"I regret to say, ma'am," replied the captain, "it began with that
neuralgic attack in the carriage."
"So! so!" thought Mrs. Lecount. "He doesn't even _try_ to make me think
the illness a real one; he throws off the mask at starting.--Is it a
nervous illness, sir?" she added, aloud.
The captain answered by a solemn affirmative inclination of the head.
"Then you have _two_ nervous sufferers in the house, Mr. Bygrave?"
"Yes, ma'am--two. My wife and my niece."
"That is rather a strange coincidence of misfortunes."
"It is, ma'am. Very strange."
In spite of Mrs. Lecount's resolution not to be offended, Captain
Wragge's exasperating insensibility to every stroke she aimed at him
began to ruffle her.
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