"Alas! no. I'm coming to that. If she could have written, she would have done so. But for the moment it is unhappily impossible. She desired a thousand messages, but these I would not bring, because I could only give my word that they were true. But the written word is none the less convincing."
"Begin at the beginning if you are being honest with me," said Stark.
"I would say with the man in the play—
"'A sudden thought strikes me,
Let us swear an eternal friendship';
but, under the circumstances, I'll leave that quotation for you. When you hear what I've got to say, you'll make it, if you're as just and honourable as I believe."
"Speak then."
Peter looked at the clock over the mantelpiece.
"Like a sermon, what I have to say must be set forth under three heads. The application I shall leave with you," he answered. "First, however, here's a glass of wine. Allow me to drink before you do so. You would not be justified in trusting me until you have heard more."
Mr. Norcot poured out two glasses of port, sipped his own and began his explanations.