INGATH'S VOOER. 343 



Mr. Nemo was in a hurry to enter into possession, 

 but was civil enough to send a message through the 

 minister, that Miss Halcro might take as much time 

 as she pleased about the moving of her goods and 

 chattels if she would allow him to establish himself in 

 a wing of the house quite away from the rooms which 

 she occupied. 



There was no reason why she should object to such 

 a modest and reasonable request, considering that it 

 was in his power to turn her out when he so pleased. 



Miss Ingath's personal properties were few and 

 easily removed, but she knew that it would take days, 

 perhaps weeks, to overhaul all the relics (riibbish, her 

 nieces called it) which cupboards and boxes contained. 



No scrap of writing, no remnant of her departed 

 ancestors, must fall into the ruthless hands of the 

 stranger, or come under eyes less reverential than her 

 own. 



It was kind of Mr. Nemo to give her time for that 

 task, and she willingly agreed to his wishes. She 

 even did her utmost to make the few long-disused 

 rooms look habitable for him, and prepared a dainty 

 meal against the hour when he was to arrive. 



He had sent his man in the morning, and that 

 person informed Miss Ingath's ancient serving-woman 

 that the master could not abide the sight of women, so 

 he would not trouble the other inhabitants of Orgert. 

 He would use the side door, and in no way cross Miss 

 Ingath's path. When this intelligence was imparted 

 to Miss Ingath she merely remarked, " That is well." 



