"Miss Patterson," he exclaimed, "give me back that letter."
She retreated, as he showed a disposition to advance. Mr. Elmore interposed himself between the lawyer and the lady.
"Steady, Mr. Wilkes, steady. You told me that it would be your duty to place that letter in Miss Patterson's hands. It is in her hands. What objection have you to offer?"
Whatever protest the lawyer might have been inclined to make he apparently came to the conclusion that, at the moment, it would be futile to make any. He withdrew himself from Elmore's immediate neighbourhood, and observed the lady, as she read the letter. She read it without comment to the end. Then she asked:
"When did you get this letter?"
"It reached my office last night, and me this morning; but, as you see, it was written on Sunday, and would appear to have been delayed in the post."
She turned to Rodney.
"Have you read this letter?"
"It has been read aloud to me, which comes to the same thing."
"You know--what he says at the end?"