The rest must be
left until I am more composed, and until I can speak to you personally.
"You will remember my informing you of the letter which Mrs. Lecount
addressed to Norah from Aldborough, and which I answered for her in her
absence. When Mrs. Lecount made her appearance to-day, her first words
announced to us that she had come to renew the subject. As well as I can
remember it, this is what she said, addressing herself to Norah:
"'I wrote to you on the subject of your sister, Miss Vanstone, some
little time since, and Miss Garth was so good as to answer the letter.
What I feared at that time has come true. Your sister has defied all my
efforts to check her; she has disappeared in company with my master, Mr.
Noel Vanstone; and she is now in a position of danger which may lead to
her disgrace and ruin at a moment's notice. It is my interest to recover
my master, it is your interest to save your sister. Tell me--for time is
precious--have you any news of her?'
"Norah answered, as well as her terror and distress would allow her, 'I
have had a letter, but there was no address on it.'
"Mrs. Lecount asked, 'Was there no postmark on the envelope?'
"Norah said, 'Yes; Allonby.
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