“Indeed, squire, I was just going to tell you how I have been myself treated by Falcon.”
But Squire Dove, whose back was up, ignored the remark, regretting, however, when he was cooler, that he had not heard the doctor out. For, as Edith Dove said, “Falcon might have done the doctor some harm; he had certainly something on his mind.”
“If so, Edith, we shall soon hear about it; and one can always feel and express regret for hasty behaviour. If I have done Peters the least injustice, I shall be the first to apologize.”
At length the post arrived, bringing an important letter from Mr William Goodall, Harry’s uncle. It was addressed to the squire, who read it out to the ladies with a view of diverting their minds from the disagreeable impressions which had been produced by the doctor’s ill-timed visit. The letter was as follows:—
“My Dear Dove,—I was much pleased with your account of the sensational version of my nephew’s unpremeditated visit to you, which appeared in a Sussex newspaper.
“I was truly glad to hear that Harry Goodall made a favourable impression on you and your daughter, and that he and his companions had been invited to remain for a time at Wedwell Hall.
“The fact of Harry having made your acquaintance through the medium of his balloon, was indeed a great surprise to me, especially as I had told him that you and Miss Dove would never receive him as a visitor whilst he was addicted to ballooning; and when I heard that it was in that character he won your good opinion, I was delighted though astounded at the news, as it convinced me that ‘Nothing is so certain as the unexpected.’
“And it seems that it was through Harry that you were led to finding out what a designing rascal that man Falcon is, so that I cannot reasonably take my nephew to task for pursuing his favourite pastime, after all is said and done. As I shall be down your way shortly, I will do myself the pleasure of calling at Wedwell Park when we can talk over Falcon’s misdeeds.
“I myself happen to possess a photograph of the lake incident at the Crystal Palace to which you allude. It was through my advice that my nephew suppressed the circulation of it, but I detected the likeness of Falcon in the boat, though I was not sure as to the identity of your daughter being the lady who was rescued by Harry Goodall. I now congratulate Miss Edith and yourself on the event, and I thank you for your polite attention to Captain Link and to his lady friend, whom Miss Dove is so much charmed with. I am expecting to hear of Link’s arrival in Cherbourg, and am glad to say that he stands very high in my estimation, and is the most trustworthy captain in my employ.
“I will not dilate on the good opinions formed of him in Sydney, as the revelations I shall have to make in reference to Falcon, will be connected with the ship Neptune which Link commanded.