(without mentioning names); and I am happy
to inform you that my views and his views of the
proper course to take, agree in every
particular.

"Both myself and friend, then, are of opinion
that little or nothing can be done towards tracing
the parties you mention, until the place of their
temporary residence, after they left Aldborough,
has been discovered first. If this can be done,
the sooner it is done the better. Judging from
your letter, some weeks must have passed since
the lawyer received his information that they had
shifted their quarters. As they are both
remarkable-looking people, the strangers who may have
assisted them on their travels have probably not
forgotten them yet. Nevertheless, expedition is
desirable.

"The question for you to consider is, whether
they may not possibly have communicated the
address of which we stand in need, to some other
person besides the lawyer. The husband may
have written to members of his family, or the
wife may have written to members of her family.
Both myself and friend are of opinion that the
latter chance is the likeliest of the two. If you have
any means of access in the direction of the wife's
family, we strongly recommend you to make use
of them. If not, please supply us with the
names of any of her near relations or intimate
female friends whom you know, and we will
endeavour to get access for you.

"In any case, we request you will at once
favour us with the most exact personal description
that can be written of both the parties. We
may require your assistance, in this important
particular, at five minutes' notice. Favour us,
therefore, with the description by return of post.
In the mean time, we will endeavour to ascertain,
on our side, whether any information is to be
privately obtained at Mr. Loscombe's office.
The lawyer himself is probably altogether beyond
our reach. But if any one of his clerks can be
advantageously treated with, on such terms as
may not overtax your pecuniary resources, accept
my assurance that the opportunity shall be made
the most of, by,
"Dear Madam,

"Your faithful servant,

"ALFRED DE BLERIOT."

VII.

FROM MR. PENDRIL TO NORAH VANSTONE.

"Searle-street, October 27th, 1847.

"My dear Miss Vanstone,—A lady, named
Lecount (formerly attached to Mr. Noel
Vanstone's service, in the capacity of housekeeper),
has called at my office this morning, and has
asked me to furnish her with your address. I
have begged her to excuse my immediate
compliance with her request, and to favour me with
a call to-morrow morning, when I shall be
prepared to meet her with a definite answer.

"My hesitation in this matter does not
proceed from any distrust of Mrs. Lecount
personally—for I know nothing whatever to her
prejudice. But in making her request to me, she
stated that the object of the desired interview
was to speak to you privately on the subject of
your sister. Forgive me for acknowledging that
I determined to withhold the address, as soon as
I heard this. You will make allowances for your
old friend and your sincere well-wisher? You
will not take it amiss, if I express my strong
disapproval of your allowing yourself, on any
pretence whatever, to be mixed up for the future
with your sister's proceedings.

"I will not distress you by saying more than
this. But I feel too deep an interest in your
welfare, and too sincere an admiration of the
patience with which you have borne all your
trials, to say less.

"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 should
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