She nodded in dismissal and went in, leaving the door open behind her. Seating herself at the great, broad table, her glance fell on a letter, opened and spread wide. Not thinking what she did, she read:
London, 10th March, 1766.
My Dear Sir:
This letter will Introduce to you Sir Edward Parkington for Whom I bespeak your most courteous Attention and Regard. Extend him all the Hospitality in your power. I am, Sir,
Your humble and ob'd't servant,
Baltimore.To
His Excellency, Col. Horatio Sharpe,
Governor of Maryland.
"So!" she said, "Baltimore himself sponsors Sir Edward Parkington; which may mean much for his responsibilities but little for his morals.... Well, he will serve to irritate Captain Herford; but can I use him to draw Richard Maynadier one little step along?"
For a space she sat there, her forehead wrinkled in a frown. She did not hear the voices at the front door, nor the footsteps that crossed the hall, until they entered the room; then she glanced up, and a smile of welcome shone from her eyes, as the man, who was in her thoughts, stood before her.
"Mr. Maynadier!" she said, extending her hand across the table.
He bowed over it with easy grace. "His Excellency leaves a fair deputy."
"And what can that deputy do for you?"
"Much," he said. "Much that I dare not even hope. So I'll ask for only that package on the table, there."
"Take it," she said—"take anything."