'I hope it contains pleasant news.'
'It is from one who is very dear to me.'
'Oh, the old story—a girl, no doubt?'
'Yes, sir.'
'The more fool you: the faith of the sex is writ in water, as the poet has it.'
'I hope not, in my case and in some others, Captain Hammersley; but if you will pardon me I cannot help stating that in my letter there is something that concerns yourself and your happiness very nearly indeed.'
Hammersley stared at this information.
'Concerns me?' he asked.
'Yes, and Miss Finella Melfort: permit me to mention her name.'
The red blood suffused Hammersley's bronzed face from temples to chin, and he sprang to his feet.