Three months after that time Peveril received the following letter:
"Dear Mr. Peveril:
"I feel it a duty to tell you that my dear father has at length passed peacefully away, and so will never trouble you again. At the very last he spoke lovingly of Richard Peveril, and said he was a splendid fellow; but I am inclined to think he referred to your father rather than to yourself. He was also perfectly rational on all subjects except that of the Princess, which he persisted in declaring was one of the richest copper mines of the world. I, of course, know better, for I realized long ago how truly the name 'Darrell's Folly' described that unfortunate venture.
"Whatever pleasure you may find in owning such an unremunerative piece of property you may enjoy without any fear of molestation, for I, as my father's sole heir, shall never lay claim to any share in it, and hereby authorize you to do with it as you think best.
"We have been very happy since we left you so suddenly and unexpectedly. The opportunity for departure came, and we embraced it.
"I have but one more thing to say before closing this one-sided correspondence forever—I humbly beg your pardon and crave your forgiveness for the cruel injustice that I once did you in a moment of agony.
"Trusting that you are happy (I knew of your engagement) and prosperous,
"I remain, always under obligations, your friend,
"Mary Darrell."
With this letter there was no date nor address, and its only post-mark was the stamp of the railway postal-service on a distant Eastern road.