"My mother wrote the letter to-day. She had an offer from some one in New York."
Kent was on his feet instantly.
"Has that letter been mailed? Because if it has, it must be stopped by wire!"
Miss Brentwood rose.
"It was on the hall table this afternoon; I'll go and see," and in a moment she returned with the letter in her hand.
Kent took it from her as if it had been an edged weapon or a can of high explosives.
"Heavens! what a turn you gave me!" he said, sitting down again. "Can I see your mother?"
"I think she has gone to bed. What do you want to do?"
"I want to tell her that she mustn't do any such suicidal thing as this."
"You don't know my mother," was the calm reply. "Mr. Ormsby said everything he could think of."