“Why, then, most impressionable youth?”
“Because—must I tell you?”
“Yes, if you wish me to act,” said the Colonel sternly.
“Because Claire Denville will be there.”
“Good heavens! that old fop is never going to take that girl?”
“He is.”
“Pooh! What am I saying?” cried the Colonel, half laughingly. “Well, what of it? Why do you want to go?”
“Look.”
Linnell held out the note he had found in his room, and Mellersh read it.
“Rockley—post-horses—for the London Road. Who sent this, Dick?”