As to Mr. Hammond's presence at Fellside, I
cannot see any danger--any reason why harm should come of it, more than
of Lord Maulevrier's presence here in the past.'
'The two gentlemen are so different, my lady,' said Steadman, with a
gloomy brow. 'His lordship is so light-hearted and careless, his mind
taken up with his horses, guns, dogs, fishing, shooting, and all kinds
of sport. He is not a gentleman to take much notice of anything out of
his own line. But this Mr. Hammond is different--a very thoughtful
gentleman, an inquiring mind, as one would say.'
'Steadman, you are getting cowardly in your old age. The danger--such a
risk as you hint at, must be growing less and less every day. After
forty years of security----'
'Security' echoed Steadman, with a monosyllabic laugh which expressed
intense bitterness. 'Say forty years during which I have felt myself
upon the edge of a precipice every day and every hour. Security! But
perhaps you are right, my lady, I am growing old and nervous, a feebler
man than I was a few years ago, feebler in body and mind.
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