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'What does it mean? asked Bessie again. 'That's just what Mrs. Rudden has come up to me to ask, said the Admiral. 'This fellow presented it in her shop about a quarter of an hour ago. The good woman smelt a rat. What do you think she did?
I went at once to see my sister, at Malvern; there I fell in with Rudden, the man I was with in New Guinea. He was going up to be made an honorary doctor, and made me come with him." "And where are you bound for?" as the train showed signs of a halt. "For London. I meant to hunt up Mat. Fleet, and hear of you, and other old friends." "Does he expect you?" "No one expects me.
Rudden says she had a message this morning, when she had come up with her rent and accounts, to say that Miss Arthuret was very much engaged, and would be glad if she would come to-morrow! Could this fellow have been about then? No one knew, but Bessie breathed the word, 'Was not that young Mytton there? It was not taken up, for no one liked to pronounce the obvious inference.
Rudden had been disturbed at so unusual a way of demanding her rent, and had come for advice on the subject; and to satisfy their minds that all was right, Mr. Foxholm would, no doubt, consent to wait till the young lady could be referred to. Mr.
Dinner was just over, and the Admiral had settled down with his shaded lamp to read and judge of the article that Bessie had given him as a specimen, when in came the message, 'Mrs. Rudden wishes to speak to you, sir. Mrs. Rudden was the prosperous widow who continued the business in the village shop, conjointly with the little farm belonging to the Gap property.
It might always be remembered against her! 'Exactly so, said the Admiral; 'and perhaps there may be another reason for not pushing the matter to extremity. The man is a stranger here, I believe. 'He has been staying at Bonchamp, said Mrs. Arthuret. 'It was young Mr. Mytton who brought him over this afternoon. 'Just so. And how did he come to be aware that Mrs. Rudden owed you any money?
'You must be aware, said the Admiral, 'that this is not an ordinary way of acting, and whatever be your purpose, Mrs. Rudden must ascertain your authority more fully before paying over so large a sum. I give you your choice, therefore, either of accompanying us to the Gap, or of remaining in Mrs. Rudden's parlour till we return. The furtive eye glanced about, and the parlour was chosen.
'You are surprised to see me at this time, he said; 'but Mrs. Rudden is perplexed by a communication from you. 'Mrs. Rudden! exclaimed Arthurine. 'Why, I only sent her word that I was too busy to go through her accounts to-day, and asked her to come to-morrow. That isn't against the laws of the Medes and Persians, is it? 'Then did you send her this letter?
Rudden, who for that matter probably believed the whole letter to have been forged, and would not enter into the enthusiasm of autographs. 'Oh, thank you! It is so kind, said the mother; and Arthurine, who looked as if she had not slept all night, and was ready to burst into tears on the least provocation, murmured something to the same effect, which the Admiral answered, half hearing
'Do any of you know Miss Arthuret's writing? he said. 'Bessie knows it best, said Susan. He showed a letter. 'That is hers the signature, said Bessie. 'I are not sure about the rest. Why what does it mean? For she read 'The Gap, 2D OCT. 'MRS. RUDDEN, You are requested to pay over to the bearer, Mr. Foxholm, fifty pounds of the rent you were about to bring me to- morrow. I remain, etc.,
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