“You have indeed,” echoed Artress.
“Neva must come home soon, but my own business must be settled before her advent on the scene. I shall write to Craven immediately. I will have no further delay.”
She went to a small, beautifully inlaid writing desk, which stood in a recessed window, and sitting down by it, wrote upon heavy velvet paper the following words:
“Craven: You may come to me at last. There is no further obstacle between us.
“Octavia.”
This brief missive she inclosed in a square envelope, and stamped with pale green wax and her favorite device.
The letter she addressed to The Hon. Craven Black, The Albany, London, W.
She then touched her bell. To the servant who came at her summons she gave the letter, ordering it to be posted at Wyndham village without delay. When her messenger had gone, her ladyship gave a sigh of consent, and murmured:
“I am about to reap the reward of all my schemes. Craven will be here to-morrow!”