"A great deal I should say," replied Gerald. "It is no light matter to purloin a letter addressed to another person."
"Purloin, sir!"
"That is the word I have used, and intended to use. I wish to know what you have done with that letter?"
"I have done nothing with it. No such letter was ever left at this house to my knowledge."
"What if I set afoot an inquiry which would prove that to be not the truth?"
Mrs. Seaton rang the bell. "I must request you to leave the house," she said.
"I will do so in a minute or two. I happen to know that your letter-box is kept locked, and that no one opens it but yourself. I regret to be compelled to say to a lady that it is a wicked and cowardly action to appropriate a letter not addressed to herself. Of such an action you have undoubtedly been guilty. May I inquire if the letter I refer to is still in existence?"
"You may inquire what you please, sir, but I shall make no reply to your insults. I presume you have obtained certain information from Miss Braham.
"Yes, she informed me that she had not received a letter I wrote to her."
"She informed you," said Mrs. Seaton, with a venomous look. "When?"