"Be calm, Howard," said Mr. Talton. "Sir Henry, take my word, knows not of your Ellenor."
"Why then did he name her?" asked the Captain, with quickness.
"That, I cannot say:" answered Mr. Talton: "but, so well acquainted as I am with every concern of the late and present Sir Henry, the occurrence he insinuates, could not possibly have escaped my knowledge."
At that moment Frederick re-entered with a letter for his uncle, which Sir Henry had desired one of the men to deliver.
"It is from Ellenor!" said the Captain, attempting with a trembling hand, but in vain, to open it. "Take it—read it, Frederick," he continued; "I am so agitated I can scarcely support myself!"
Frederick obeyed, and read as follows:—
"After seventeen years silence, Ellenor Worton again addresses her beloved Edward—addresses him whose idea has ever lived in her heart; nor fears the world should tax her with indelicacy. It is for a child of sorrow she writes! It is Ellenor sues—nor will Edward refuse her boon!
"For reasons which I cannot explain, Sir Henry Corbet, the bearer of this letter, is necessitated to withdraw from the guardianship of his mother. His father sheltered your Ellenor and her child in the hour of keen adversity. He has equally been our preserver! To him I am indebted for the blessings I enjoy—to him, your son (Oh Edward, can you forgive my hitherto concealing him from your knowledge?) is beholden for a competency! Will my Edward repay the obligation, by affording him an asylum? From him you may learn what has hitherto befallen me; but attempt not my retreat, it must yet be sacred!
"Seek not to know more of his history than he freely communicates: and love him, my Edward, for he is worthy of your richest regard. You must hereafter clear the mysteries in which he is involved—from him it is, you must receive your son, and—Ellenor."
"But he has denied your boon, my Ellenor!" said the Captain. "Shame—shame to him for it! Yet it is not too late: seek Sir Henry immediately: my life were little in recompence for friendship shown to my Ellenor!"