“One word more, and I have done.

“The last time you were so good as to come to this house, do you remember how Magdalen embarrassed and distressed us by questioning you about her right to bear her father’s name?  Do you remember her persisting in her inquiries, until she had forced you to acknowledge that, legally speaking, she and her sister had No Name?  I venture to remind you of this, because you have the affairs of hundreds of clients to think of, and you might well have forgotten the circumstance.  Whatever natural reluctance she might otherwise have had to deceiving us, and degrading herself, by the use of an assumed name, that conversation with you is certain to have removed.  We must discover her by personal description—­we can trace her in no other way.

“I can think of nothing more to guide your decision in our deplorable emergency.  For God’s sake, let no expense and no efforts be spared.  My letter ought to reach you by ten o’clock this morning, at the latest.  Let me have one line in answer, to say you will act instantly for the best.  My only hope of quieting Norah is to show her a word of encouragement from your pen.  Believe me, dear sir, yours sincerely and obliged,

“HARRIET GARTH.”

III.

From Magdalen to Norah (inclosed in the preceding Letter).

“MY DARLING—­Try to forgive me.  I have struggled against myself till I am worn out in the effort.  I am the wretchedest of living creatures.  Our quiet life here maddens me; I can bear it no longer; I must go.  If you knew what my thoughts are; if you knew how hard I have fought against them, and how horribly they have gone on haunting me in the lonely quiet of this house, you would pity and forgive me.  Oh, my love, don’t feel hurt at my not opening my heart to you as I ought!  I dare not open it.  I dare not show myself to you as I really am.

“Pray don’t send and seek after me; I will write and relieve all your anxieties.  You know, Norah, we must get our living for ourselves; I have only gone to get mine in the manner which is fittest for me.  Whether I succeed, or whether I fail, I can do myself no harm either way.  I have no position to lose, and no name to degrade.  Don’t doubt I love you—­don’t let Miss Garth doubt my gratitude.  I go away miserable at leaving you; but I must go.  If I had loved you less dearly, I might have had the courage to say this in your presence—­but how could I trust myself to resist your persuasions, and to bear the sight of your distress?  Farewell, my darling!  Take a thousand kisses from me, my own best, dearest love, till we meet again.

“MAGDALEN.”

IV.

From Sergeant Bulmer (of the Detective Police) to Mr. Pendril.

“Scotland Yard, September 29th, 1846.

“SIR—­Your clerk informs me that the parties interested in our inquiry after the missing young lady are anxious for news of the same.  I went to your office to speak to you about the matter to-day.  Not having found you, and not being able to return and try again to-morrow, I write these lines to save delay, and to tell you how we stand thus far.