"One year and ten months ago, sir."
"Painfully exact! And how many letters has she written you, may I ask?"
"One, sir."
"Hum! You know that the Earl of Wyvelstoke has made her his ward and heiress, Peregrine?"
"His lordship informed me of the fact, Uncle."
"He corresponds with you, then?"
"Every month without fail."
"Then of course you know he is returning to England shortly and holds a great reception at his place in town, a fortnight from to-day, I think?"
"Yes, sir."
"And in the space of two years you have received one letter from your beautiful gipsy?"