"Yes, I am ill, and in deep trouble," she answered. "Oh! Mr. Lee, let me beseech you to protect my good name from the enemies that have assailed it!"
"Your good name, my dear madam? Who would dare say a word against any one sheltered under my roof?"
"I do not know—the whole thing bewilders me; but some great wrong has been done—some cruel slander said, or I should not be called upon to endure such insults as met me from that proud old lady—should not be outraged by letters like this!"
She took a letter from her pocket and gave it to Mr. Lee, watching him as he read it.
The letter was a brief one; but Mr. Lee was a long time in reading it. His eyes went back upon every line, and the fire burned hotly in them when he came to an end. There was something very startling in the changes of his face as he glanced from the paper to Jessie and from her to me. Never have I seen a look so terribly stern.
"Where did you get this letter?" he inquired, crushing the paper in his hand.
"It came to me by the mail; you will see by the post-mark," was the reply.
He glanced at the post-mark, which was that of the nearest town; then, striding up to his daughter, held the open letter before her eyes.
Jessie read it bewildered; but at last her features settled into a look of astonishment.
"Is this your writing, Miss Lee?"