"I am at your service," he answered a little stiffly; "especially if you will be so kind as to mention your business with me in few words."She was a woman of some spirit, and that reply roused her.
"I will mention it in one word, " she said smartly. "My business is--gratitude."He was completely at a loss to understand what she meant, and he said so plainly. Instead of explaining herself, she put a question.
"Do you remember the night of the eleventh of March, between five and six years since?"He considered for a moment.
"No," he said, "I don't r emember it. Excuse me, Mrs. Callender, I have affairs of my own to attend to which cause me some anxiety--""Let me assist your memory, Mr. Lismore; and I will leave you to your affairs. On the date that I have referred to, you were on your way to the railway-station at Bexmore, to catch the night express from the North to London."As a hint that his time was valuable the ship-owner had hitherto remained standing. He now took his customary seat, and began to listen with some interest. Mrs. Callender had produced her effect on him already.