But the mourner had written to her old friend and confessor, Francis; and, after some delay, involuntary on his part, he came to see her.
They were often closeted together, and spoke so low that Ryder could not catch a word.
Francis also paid several visits to Leonard; and the final result of these visits was that the latter left England.
Francis remained at Hernshaw as long as he could; and it was Mrs. Gaunt's hourly prayer that Griffith might return while Francis was with her.
He did, at her earnest request, stay much longer than he had intended; but, at length, he was obliged to fix next Monday to return to his own place.
It was on Thursday he made this arrangement; but the very next day the postman brought a letter to the Castle, thus addressed:—
"To Mistress Caroline Ryder,
Living Servant with Griffith Gaunt, Esq.,
at his house, called Hernshaw Castle,
near Wigeonmoor,
in the county of Cumberland.
These with speed."
The address was in a feigned hand. Ryder opened it in the kitchen, and uttered a scream.
Instantly three female throats opened upon her with questions.
She looked them contemptuously in their faces, put the letter into her pocket, and, soon after, slipped away to her own room, and locked herself in while she read it. It ran thus:—