The serious necessity of availing myself of the earliest means
of conveyance to the Continent leaves me but one alternative. I must
profit by the permission to leave England, if necessary, which you
kindly granted to me at the beginning of my brother's illness, and I
must avoid all delay by going straight to London, instead of turning
aside, as I should have liked, to see you first at St. Crux.
"Painfully as I am affected by the family calamity which has fallen
on me, I cannot let this opportunity pass without adverting to another
subject which seriously concerns your welfare, and in which (on that
account) your old housekeeper feels the deepest interest.
"I am going to surprise and shock you, Mr. Noel. Pray don't be agitated!
pray compose yourself!
"The impudent attempt to cheat you, which has happily opened your eyes
to the true character of our neighbors at North Shingles, was not
the only object which Mr. Bygrave had in forcing himself on your
acquaintance. The infamous conspiracy with which you were threatened
in London has been in full progress against you under Mr. Bygrave's
direction, at Aldborough. Accident--I will tell you what accident when
we meet--has put me in possession of information precious to your
future security.
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