The gentleman's large face here assumed a cunning leer.
'Well, we have our thoughts about that, Sir,' he said. 'But by your
leave, we'll knock at the hall-door.'
'I tell you what, Sir,' said Toole, who had no reliance upon the wisdom
of the female garrison, and had serious misgivings lest at the first
stout summons the maids should open the door, and the ill-favoured pair
establish themselves in occupation of poor Mrs. Nutter's domicile, 'I'll
not object to the notices being received. There's the servant up at the
window there--but you must not make a noise; Mrs. Nutter, poor woman, is
sick and hypochondriac, and can't bear a noise; but I'll permit the
service of the notices, because, you see, we can afford to snap our
fingers at you. I say, Moggy, open a bit of that window, and take in
the papers that this gentleman will hand you. _There_, Sir, on the end
of your cane, if you please--very good.'
''Twill do, she has them. Thank you, Miss,' said the legal practitioner,
with a grin. 'Now, Ma'am, we'd best go to the Prerogative Court.'
Mary Matchwell laughed one of her pale malevolent laughs up at the maid
in the window, who stood there, with the papers in her hand, in a sort
of horror.
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