He had of late been
spoiled by tolerably easy triumphs, and the experience of failure was
very disagreeable to him.
On both evenings he was summoned to Lady Eversleigh's apartments, and
on each occasion declined going. He sent a respectful message, to the
effect that he had nothing to communicate to her ladyship, and would
not therefore intrude upon her.
But early on the morning after the second day's wasted labour, the post
brought Mr. Larkspur a communication which quite restored him to his
accustomed good humour.
It was neither more nor less than a brief epistle from one of the
officials of the police-staff at Murford Haven, informing Mr. Larkspur
that an old woman had produced the silken coverlet advertised for, and
claimed the offered reward.
Mr. Larkspur sent a servant to inquire if Lady Eversleigh would be
pleased to favour him with a few minutes' conversation that morning.
The man came back almost immediately with a ready affirmative.
"My lady will be very happy to see Mr. Larkspur."
"Oh, Mr. Larkspur!" exclaimed Honoria, as the police-officer entered
the room, "I am certain you bring me good news; I can see it in your
face."
"Well, yes, my lady; certainly I've got a little bit of good news this
morning."
"You have found a clue to my child?"
"I have found out something about the coverlet," answered Andrew; "and
that's the next best thing, to my mind.
Pages:
644
645
646
647
648
649
650
651
652
653
654
655
656
657
658
659
660
661
662
663
664
665
666
667
668