It was only a few lines, saying that Mrs. Costello had told him expressly that she should remain for some time in France, and would write to her Canadian friends as soon as she had any settled home, but that in the meantime he believed her movements would be known by her relative, Mr. Wynter, whose address he enclosed.
Maurice, whose anxiety was revived by the sight of this missive, examined it with as much care as if he expected to extract more information from it than in reality the writer possessed, but he was obliged to content himself with copying the address and giving the warmest thanks to Mrs. Bellairs for the help he thus gained.
"I suppose," she asked smiling, "that I may entrust you with a message for Lucia?"
Maurice looked rather foolish. He certainly did mean to follow up the clue in person, but he had not said so, and he fancied Mrs. Bellairs was inclined to laugh at him for his romance.
"I will carry it if you do," he answered, "but I do not promise when it will be delivered."
"You are really going to England at the time you spoke of last night?"
"Yes."
"And from England to France is not much of a journey?"
"No; and I have not seen Paris yet."
"Ah! well, you will go over and meet with them, and rejoice poor Lucia's heart with the sight of a home face."