Without more words, the waiter handed over the letter, and took himself off to the performance of other dudes.
Fan re-entered the room, and handed the epistle to her husband.
“By the morning boat?” said Swinton. “From New York? Of course, there’s no other. Who can have come thence, that’s got any business with me?”
It just flashed across his mind that acceptances given in England could be transmitted to America. It was only a question of transfer, the drawer becoming endorser. And Richard Swinton knew that there were lawyers of the tribe of Levi, who had transactions in this kind of stamped paper, corresponding with each other across the Atlantic.
Was it one of his London bills forwarded to the American correspondent, ten days before the day of dishonour?
Such was the suspicion that came into his mind while listening to the dialogue outside. And it remained there, till he had torn open the envelope, and commenced reading.
He read as follows:
“Sir,—As the friend of Captain Maynard, and referring to what occurred between him and you last night, I address you.
“Circumstances of an important—indeed, peremptory—character require his presence elsewhere, necessitating him to leave Newport by the boat which takes departure at 8 p.m. Between this and then there are twelve hours of daylight, enough to settle the trifling dispute between you. Captain Maynard appeals to you, as a gentleman, to accept his offer for quick satisfaction. Should you decline it, I, speaking as his friend, and believing myself tolerably well acquainted with the code of honour, shall feel justified in absolving him from any further action relating to the affair, and shall be prepared to defend him against any aspersions that may arise from it.
“Until 7:30 p.m.—allowing half an hour to reach the boat—your friend will find me in Captain Maynard’s room.
“Yours obediently,—
“Rupert Roseveldt.
“Count of the Austrian Empire.”
Twice, without stopping, did Swinton peruse this singular epistle.
Its contents, instead of adding to the excitement of his spirit, seemed to have the effect of tranquillising it.