'Very well then, be more serious this time: Always your faithful friend, William Stacey Cricker.'
He glanced over the note, his face falling more and more, while Lady
Everard looked more and more satisfied.
'Copy that out, word for word, the moment you go back, and send it off,' she said, 'and all the worst of your troubles will be over.'
'I should think the worst is yet to come,' said he ruefully.
'But you promise to do it, Willie? Oh, promise me?'
'Oh yes rather,' said he half-heartedly.
'Word for word?'
'O Lord, yes. That's to say, unless anything—'
'Not a word, Willie; it will be your salvation. Come and see me soon, and tell me the result. Ah! here you are, cher maître!'
With a bright smile she welcomed Mr La France, who was now announced, gently dismissing Willie with a push of the left hand.