The captain's friend was connected with the law, and the captain's
business was of a twofold nature. His first object was to inform himself
of the legal bearings of the approaching marriage on the future of the
husband and the wife. His second object was to provide beforehand
for destroying all traces of the destination to which he might betake
himself when he left Aldborough on the wedding-day. Having reached his
end successfully in both these cases, he returned to the hotel, and
found Noel Vanstone nursing his offended dignity in the landlady's
sitting-room. Three ladies' maids had appeared to pass their
examination, and had all, on coming to the question of wages, impudently
declined accepting the place. A fourth candidate was expected to present
herself on the next day; and, until she made her appearance, Noel
Vanstone positively declined removing from the metropolis. Captain
Wragge showed his annoyance openly at the unnecessary delay thus
occasioned in the return to Aldborough, but without producing any
effect. Noel Vanstone shook his obstinate little head, and solemnly
refused to trifle with his responsibilities.
The first event which occurred on Saturday morning was the arrival of
Mrs.
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