"I think he is a Yankee, by his talk."
"Pray, ask him to send his name."
"Yes, ma'am," said the chambermaid, retiring.
Emily was puzzled by the request, and, judging from the girl's
description that it could not be Maxwell, began to dread a new enemy.
The chambermaid presently returned, and said the gentleman's name was
Benson.
Emily's perplexity was not diminished, but she resolved to see the
applicant at the door of the room, so that, if his errand was from
Maxwell, she could easily retire from his presence. Accordingly she
instructed the girl to show him to the door on the gallery.
"I beg your pardon, ma'am," said Uncle Nathan, as soon as he reached the
position assigned him; "you are Miss Dumont, I believe?"
"The same," said she, as calmly as her fluttering heart would permit.
"May I beg to know your business with me?"
"Yes, ma'am," said Uncle Nathan, bluntly; "but don't be scart. I know
something of your trials; and I trust the Lord will give you strength to
endure them with patience."
"Really, sir, you astonish me! May I be allowed to ask how you became
acquainted with my affairs?"
"All in good time, ma'am; I have in my possession a document, which, I'm
told, will set matters all right with you.
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