"As usual."
"When am I expected to leave for Brighton?"
"As soon as you can."
She rose, and left the room. After a momentary doubt, I decided on
executing the new commission. The more private inquiries I conduct for
my fair relative the harder she will find it to get rid of hers truly,
Horatio Wragge.
There is nothing to prevent my starting for Brighton to-morrow. So
to-morrow I go. If Mr. Noel Vanstone succeeds to his father's property,
he is the only human being possessed of pecuniary blessings who fails to
inspire me with a feeling of unmitigated envy.
IX.
_Chronicle for June_.
_9th_.--I returned yesterday with my information. Here it is, privately
noted down for convenience of future reference:
Mr. Noel Vanstone has left Brighton, and has removed, for the purpose of
transacting business in London, to one of his late father's empty houses
in Vauxhall Walk, Lambeth. This singularly mean selection of a place of
residence on the part of a gentleman of fortune looks as if Mr. N. V.
and his money were not easily parted.
Mr. Noel Vanstone has stepped into his father's shoes under the
following circumstances: Mr. Michael Vanstone appears to have died,
curiously enough, as Mr.
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