“Dear George,
“Lord Averil’s bonds are in his case in the strong-room. How could you make so great a mistake as to tell him they had gone up to town? I send you word, lest he should call for them in the morning before I reach the Bank.
“Ever yours,
“Thomas Godolphin.”
Then the disclosure must come! With a word, that was very like a groan, George crushed the paper in his hand. Maria heard the sound.
“What is it, George?”
“Nothing. What? This? Only a note from Thomas.”
He began whistling lightly, to cover his real feelings, and took up the book Maria had closed. “Is it entertaining?” asked he, turning over its pages.
“Very. It is a charming book. But that I had it to read, I should have been lying on the sofa. I have a very bad headache to-night.”
“Go to bed,” responded George.
“I think I must. Perhaps you will not care to come so early?”