That work was no less painful a task than the writing of a letter to
Lady Eversleigh, to inform her of the calamity which had taken place--
of the terrible realization of her worst fears. Captain Copplestone's
varied and adventurous life had never brought him a severer or more
painful duty, but he was not the man to shirk or defer it, because it
involved suffering to himself.
The letter was written, and despatched by the evening post, and then
the captain shut himself up in his own room, and gave way to the
bitterest grief he had ever experienced.
Who shall describe the agony which Lady Eversleigh suffered when
Captain Copplestone's letter reached her? For the first half-hour after
she read it, a blight seemed to fall upon her senses, and she sat still
in her chair, stupefied; but when she rallied, her first impulse was to
send for Andrew Larkspur, who was now nearly restored to his usual
state of sound health.
She rang the bell, and summoned Jane Payland.
"There is a lawyer's clerk living in this house," she said; "Mr.
Andrews. Go to him immediately, and ask him to favour me with an
interview. I wish to consult him on a matter of business."
"Yes, ma'am," answered Miss Payland, looking inquisitively at the ashen
face of her mistress. "There's something fresh this morning," she
muttered to herself, as she tripped lightly up the stairs to do her
bidding.
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