It happened during her illness that a friend, who witnessed the anxiety of her mind and sympathised with her, wrote to America for information concerning Mr. Holdfast, anticipating that the reply to his letter would enable him to communicate good news to her; and it also happened, most singularly, after a lapse of time, that it was to this very friend Mrs. Holdfast appealed for advice as to how she should act.
“I felt as if I was going mad,” are the widow’s words. “I could endure the terrible suspense no longer.”
She called upon her friend, not being aware that he had written to America on her behalf. On the table was a letter with the American post-mark on the envelope, and as her friend, in a hurried manner, rose to receive her, she observed that he placed his hand upon this letter, as though wishing to conceal it from her sight. But her quick eyes had already detected it.
“I did not know,” she said, after she had explained the motive of her visit, “that you had correspondence with America.”
He glanced at his hand, which still covered the letter, and his face became troubled.
“This,” he said, “is in answer to a special letter I sent to the States concerning Mr. Holdfast.”
“Ah,” she cried, “then I am interested in it!”
“Yes,” he replied, “you are interested in it.”