'What the devil do you mean, MacIan?' he exclaimed sharply; his supreme astonishment, however, exceeding any indignation to hear that name on a stranger's lips. 'I know well that you are not what you seem by your present position in life; but how came you to know the name of that young lady?'
'She is mentioned in this letter, sir—the letter of the only being in all the world who cares for me,' replied Florian, with a palpable break in his voice.
'Mentioned in what fashion?' asked Hammersley curtly and with knitted brows.
'Please to read this paragraph for yourself, sir.'
'Thanks.'
Hammersley took the letter, and saw that it was written in a most lady-like hand.
'Dulcie?' said he, just glancing at the signature; 'is she your sister?'
'I have no sister. I think I have told you that I am alone in the world.'
'I have a delicacy in reading a young lady's letter,' said Hammersley, whose hand shook on perceiving by the next glance that it was dated from 'Craigengowan.'
Florian indicated the long paragraph with a finger; and as Hammersley read it his face became again deeply suffused.