“Papa sent word down that he did not need luncheon, but would join us at dinner in the evening,” replied Odalite.
And they began the meal.
And meanwhile where was Abel Force?
CHAPTER XXIII
TOO GREAT A BURDEN
Abel Force went into the little room he had engaged, adjoining the sick chamber of his wife.
It was no more than a closet, and had evidently been used as a dressing room attached to the large chamber before the exigencies of war had rendered space in the house too valuable for the little place to be used for any purpose but a bedroom.
It was furnished very simply, with an iron bedstead, a washstand with a glass above it, a single chair, and half a dozen wooden pegs on the door to hang clothes.
Mr. Force turned the back of the only chair to the window that was opposite the door and overlooked the yard; and he sat down and drew the packet he had taken from his wife’s room, and again looked at the superscription.
Yes, it was directed in a firm hand to:
“Abel Force, Esq.”