She tore it open.
My dear David.
She glanced at the end. Then she sprang up and pealed the bell.
Yours affectionately, Diana Rivers, was in her hand. Your wife, who loves you and longs for you, had gone to David!
Rodgers reported, in an unmoved undertone, that the man with the post-bag had started for Riversmead, on his bicycle, twenty minutes ago.
"Order the motor," commanded Diana. "Tell Knox to come round as quickly as possible. I must overtake the post-bag."
She placed her letter in a fresh envelope, rapidly addressed, sealed, and stamped it; flew up for a hat and coat, and was downstairs, ready to start, within five minutes of her discovery of the mistake.
She paced the hall like a caged lion. Every word she had written stood out in letters of fire. Oh folly, folly, to have let the two letters lie side by side!
"It meant no more than we intended it should mean".... Your wife, who loves you and longs for you.