The question is, what move can be deep enough to trap such a
man as he? He's a man who knows the inside of your mind better than you
do yourself; and can reckon you up as easily as the simplest sum in
arithmetic."
The two men talked together very seriously for some time after this, and
on the same day Valentine lay in wait for Dr. Jedd as he left Philip
Sheldon's house, and was driven back to town in that gentleman's
carriage. On the road there was much serious talk between Miss Halliday's
physician and Miss Halliday's lover. Valentine was still very grave and
very anxious when he took his leave of Dr. Jedd; but he was more hopeful
than he had been for the last few days.
On the same evening Gustave Lenoble received a brief epistle from his
plighted wife.
"MY DEAR GUSTAVE,--I regret to find from your letter that the doctors
consider my father weaker than when I was last at Knightsbridge; but,
even knowing this, I cannot come to him just yet. The duty which detains
me here is even more sacred than his claim upon my care. And I know your
goodness to him, and feel that in you he has a better friend and
comforter than I could be to him. I thank you, dear, for your kindness to
this poor broken-down wanderer even more than for your generous devotion
to me. And now I am going to ask you a favour. It is, that you will
afford Mr. Hawkehurst, the person who will give you this letter, the help
of your friendship and counsel in very difficult and critical
circumstances, which he will explain to you.
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