“John Cleve.”
“Thank God!” fervently ejaculated Stuart.
“But where is the check?” curiously inquired Palma.
Stuart opened the leaves of the letter again, then his face fell and he murmured:
“My uncle must have forgotten to put it in!”
“No,” said Palma, “here it is!” And she picked it up from the carpet, to which it had slipped.
“Thank God!” said Stuart again.
“Why, I am glad, very glad, that you have heard from your uncle. But you, Cleve! I have never in all my life seen you so strongly moved. What is it all about?” exclaimed Palma, amazed at his extreme agitation.
“My darling, when this providential letter came we were on the brink of ruin!” he answered, telling her the truth at last.
“‘Ruin!’ You! Cleve Stuart!”