Not many weeks, however, passed without another blow from the evil fate which now seemed to be pursuing Thorsby and his family. Letty received a letter from her husband, informing her that his agent in New York had absconded with 5000l. of his money, and left the goods in the warehouse there very much exposed. He was that moment departing for Liverpool to embark for America. When he might return was uncertain; but if God could hear the prayer of such a wretch, he prayed for all His blessings on her and their dear child. Letty, struck as with a sudden wound, hastened to the counting-house to inform Mr. Barnsdale of this startling news. She found that he already was in possession of it.
“What is the extent of the hazard?” she asked. “Will it ruin us?”
“Oh no;” said Mr. Barnsdale. “If the money is not recovered—as very likely it may not: that continent is vast; it is very much like hunting a needle in a truss of hay, hunting a rogue in it—then there are 5000l. gone. The stock, I see, in the New York store is, or should be, about 5000l. more in value: 10,000l.”
“That is a great deal,” said Letty.
“Yes; a great deal too much to lose,” replied Barnsdale; “but we can bear a good deal more than that. It may hamper our money accounts a little; but I am happy to say that Mr. Heritage has sent me word that he is prepared to assist us at a pinch to a large amount. That, madam, we owe to his high esteem of you.” He might have added, and to his own confidence-inspiring character. “And,” added Mr. Barnsdale, “do not let this event distress you. In my opinion it may prove the very reverse of what it seems. Mr. Thorsby has wonderful energies in his nature, strangely linked, it must be said, with sad weaknesses; but let him once be roused in some important cause, and the latent forces will be sure to come out. See what a wonderful eloquence he displayed, before unknown to everybody—unknown to himself. I am sure he will pursue this unblushing rogue to the very extremities of the earth. He has all the spirit of the hunter in him, and nothing in the world could be so beneficial to him as such an excitement and chase.”
“Pray God it may be so,” said Letty.
“Amen and Amen,” said Barnsdale, with much devotion.
The very next day, Mrs. Heritage, to her extreme surprise, received a letter, dated Liverpool, from Thorsby. In this he made a late but earnest apology for his former rude return to her well-intentioned admonitions, and now begged, as a parting favour, a few lines from her as “a comfort to him on the deep waters.”
Mrs. Heritage sat for a short time in silence, and then wrote this reply:—
“Friend Henry Thorsby,