As some compensation for this second matrimonial disaster, Godfrey had soon afterwards found himself the object of fond pecuniary remembrance, on the part of one of his many admirers.  A rich old lady—­highly respected at the Mothers’ Small-Clothes-Conversion-Society, and a great friend of Miss Clack’s (to whom she left nothing but a mourning ring)—­had bequeathed to the admirable and meritorious Godfrey a legacy of five thousand pounds.  After receiving this handsome addition to his own modest pecuniary resources, he had been heard to say that he felt the necessity of getting a little respite from his charitable labours, and that his doctor prescribed “a run on the Continent, as likely to be productive of much future benefit to his health.”  If I wanted to see him, it would be advisable to lose no time in paying my contemplated visit.

I went, then and there, to pay my visit.

The same fatality which had made me just one day too late in calling on Sergeant Cuff, made me again one day too late in calling on Godfrey.  He had left London, on the previous morning, by the tidal train, for Dover.  He was to cross to Ostend; and his servant believed he was going on to Brussels.  The time of his return was rather uncertain; but I might be sure he would be away at least three months.

I went back to my lodgings a little depressed in spirits.  Three of the guests at the birthday dinner—­and those three all exceptionally intelligent people—­were out of my reach, at the very time when it was most important to be able to communicate with them.  My last hopes now rested on Betteredge, and on the friends of the late Lady Verinder whom I might still find living in the neighbourhood of Rachel’s country house.

On this occasion, I travelled straight to Frizinghall—­the town being now the central point in my field of inquiry.  I arrived too late in the evening to be able to communicate with Betteredge.  The next morning, I sent a messenger with a letter, requesting him to join me at the hotel, at his earliest convenience.

Having taken the precaution—­partly to save time, partly to accommodate Betteredge—­of sending my messenger in a fly, I had a reasonable prospect, if no delays occurred, of seeing the old man within less than two hours from the time when I had sent for him.  During this interval, I arranged to employ myself in opening my contemplated inquiry, among the guests present at the birthday dinner who were personally known to me, and who were easily within my reach.  These were my relatives, the Ablewhites, and Mr. Candy.  The doctor had expressed a special wish to see me, and the doctor lived in the next street.  So to Mr. Candy I went first.