“My look, words and manner enforced conviction. After an instant his lordship grasped my hand, saying:
“ ‘I believe you, St. James. I wonder, now, how I could ever have doubted you. I might have known how it was.’
“So excited had I been, I failed to notice the room had other occupants. A merry laugh reached my ear. Turning, I saw several gentlemen who were present at the dinner party. They came forward, each grasping my hand cordially, and apologizing for their suspicions. The story was told many times after, and afforded considerable amusement. And after a while I could join in the laugh; but for a long time it was a very sore subject.
“Now, Alice, love, rest easy. I’ll answer for Gerald. We will hear from him before long; just as soon as he has made the discovery. Come, smile, now; and—Ah, there is the dinner bell. I cannot have a clouded face near me. It will take away my appetite.”
Alice tried to smile, but it proved a poor apology for one.
They were just about entering the dining-room, when a servant met them, holding out an envelope, saying:
“A telegram, sir.”
Quickly opening which, Mr. St. James exclaimed joyously:
“Ah, I knew it! It is from Gerald.”
It was from Peterborough, addressed to Mr. St. James, and read: