He enclosed a draft for a considerable sum with the letter, and bade her consider him in the light of both a friend and a lover.
The position was both a difficult and a delicate one, and he was therefore specially cautious in wording his letter, not that he had the faintest notion that the unhappy Theresa would take any advantage of any incautious expression, but still he deemed it just as well to be on the safe side.
He also dispatched a missive to the Chevalier de Monpres, bidding him wait upon Theresa and comfort her as he best could.
He also entrusted the arrangements of the funeral of Madame Trieste to his friend, De Monpres.
He begged, as a special favour of the old Frenchman, his attention to these matters, and wound up by an earnest request that he, De Monpres, would pay a visit to Broxbridge.
In a week or two after this the earl was both surprised and delighted when one of his servants announced that a gentleman—a stranger to Broxbridge—was waiting in one of the reception rooms.
Upon looking at the card handed to him by the domestic, the earl saw it was none other than his late second, who desired to speak with him.
The chevalier was at once conducted into the presence of the earl.
“My dear good friend!” exclaimed the latter, “this is, indeed, kind and considerate of you. I know not how to thank you sufficiently for your kindness and attention.”
“Well, the fact is, Ethalwood,” said De Monpres, “I could not remain away any longer. I felt, naturally enough, that you needed advice and consolation; besides, it was essential for me to communicate with you personally.”