Wilding's ear as he
made his note, that he was rather long about it. When he looked up
again, Mrs. Goldstraw's glance had naturally gone round the room, and now
returned to him from the chimney-piece. Its expression was one of frank
readiness to be questioned, and to answer straight.
"You will excuse my asking you a few questions?" said the modest wine-
merchant.
"O, surely, sir. Or I should have no business here."
"Have you filled the station of housekeeper before?"
"Only once. I have lived with the same widow lady for twelve years. Ever
since I lost my husband. She was an invalid, and is lately dead: which
is the occasion of my now wearing black."
"I do not doubt that she has left you the best credentials?" said Mr.
Wilding.
"I hope I may say, the very best. I thought it would save trouble, sir,
if I wrote down the name and address of her representatives, and brought
it with me." Laying a card on the table.
"You singularly remind me, Mrs. Goldstraw," said Wilding, taking the card
beside him, "of a manner and tone of voice that I was once acquainted
with. Not of an individual--I feel sure of that, though I cannot recall
what it is I have in my mind--but of a general bearing. I ought to add,
it was a kind and pleasant one."
She smiled, as she rejoined: "At least, I am very glad of that, sir."
"Yes," said the wine-merchant, thoughtfully repeating his last phrase,
with a momentary glance at his future housekeeper, "it was a kind and
pleasant one.
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