“If I cannot prevail on you to follow my advice, you have only to say so, and Mrs. Lecount shall have your address to-morrow.  In this case (which I cannot contemplate without the greatest unwillingness), let me at least recommend you to stipulate that Miss Garth shall be present at the interview.  In any matter with which your sister is concerned, you may want an old friend’s advice, and an old friend’s protection against your own generous impulses.  If I could have helped you in this way, I would; but Mrs. Lecount gave me indirectly to understand that the subject to be discussed was of too delicate a nature to permit of my presence.  Whatever this objection may be really worth, it cannot apply to Miss Garth, who has brought you both up from childhood.  I say, again, therefore, if you see Mrs. Lecount, see her in Miss Garth’s company.

“Always most truly yours,

“WILLIAM PENDRIL.”

VIII.

From Norah Vanstone to Mr. Pendril.

“Portland Place, Wednesday.

“DEAR MR. PENDRIL—­Pray don’t think I am ungrateful for your kindness.  Indeed, indeed I am not!  But I must see Mrs. Lecount.  You were not aware when you wrote to me that I had received a few lines from Magdalen—­not telling me where she is, but holding out the hope of our meeting before long.  Perhaps Mrs. Lecount may have something to say to me on this very subject.  Even if it should not be so, my sister—­do what she may—­is still my sister.  I can’t desert her; I can’t turn my back on any one who comes to me in her name.  You know, dear Mr. Pendril, I have always been obstinate on this subject, and you have always borne with me.  Let me owe another obligation to you which I can never return, and bear with me still!

“Need I say that I willingly accept that part of your advice which refers to Miss Garth?  I have already written to beg that she will come here at four to-morrow afternoon.  When you see Mrs. Lecount, please inform her that Miss Garth will be with me, and that she will find us both ready to receive her here to-morrow at four o’clock.  Gratefully yours,

“NORAH VANSTONE.”

IX.

From Mr. de Bleriot to Mrs. Lecount.

“Private.

“Dark’s Buildings, October 28th.

“DEAR MADAM—­One of Mr. Loscombe’s clerks has proved amenable to a small pecuniary consideration, and has mentioned a circumstance which it may be of some importance to you to know.

“Nearly a month since, accident gave the clerk in question an opportunity of looking into one of the documents on his master’s table, which had attracted his attention from a slight peculiar ity in the form and color of the paper.  He had only time, during Mr. Loscombe’s momentary absence, to satisfy his curiosity by looking at the beginning of the document and at the end.  At the beginning he saw the customary form used in making a will; at the end he discovered the signature of Mr. Noel Vanstone, with the names of two attesting witnesses, and the date (of which he is quite certain)—­the thirtieth of September last.