“I will.”
“Will you do your best—your very best—to obtain it? Will you use all the power and influence you have over him to dissuade him from any act that might injure me? Will you get his pledge that he will not molest me in any way?”
“I will promise to do all that I can with him.” “And when must this come off,—this meeting, I mean?”
“At once, of course. You ought to leave this by the early packet for Bangor. Harding or Vaughan—any one—will go with you. Trafford can follow you by the midday mail, as your note will have reached him early.”
“You seem to have a capital head for these sort of things; you arrange all to perfection,” said he, with a sneer.
“I had need of it, as I have to think for two;” and the sarcasm stung him to the quick. “I will go to your room and write the note. I shall find paper and ink there?”
“Yes; everything. I'll carry these candles for you;” and he arose and preceded her to his study. “I wish he would not mix old Fossbrooke in the affair. I hope he'll not name him as his friend.”
“I have already thought of that,” said she, as she sat down at the table and began to write. After a few seconds she said, “This will do, I think:—
“'Sir,—I have just learned from my wife how grossly insulting was your conduct towards her yesterday, on the occasion of her calling at Sir Brook Fossbrooke's house. The shame and distress in which she returned here would fully warrant any chastisement I might inflict upon you; but for the sake of the cloth you wear, I offer you the alternative which I would extend to a man of honor, and desire you will meet me at once with a friend. I shall leave by the morning packet for Holyhead, and be found at the chief hotel, Bangor, where, waiting your pleasure, I am your obedient servant.
“'I hope it is needless to say that my wife's former guardian, Sir B. F., should not be chosen to act for you on this occasion.'”