“Thursday.
“MY DEAR MIDWINTER--No words can tell what a relief it was to me to get
your letter this morning, and what a happiness I honestly feel in having
been thus far proved to be in the wrong. The precautions you have taken
in case the woman should still confirm my apprehensions by venturing
herself at Thorpe Ambrose seem to me to be all that can be desired. You
are no doubt sure to hear of her from one or other of the people in the
lawyer’s office, whom you have asked to inform you of the appearance of
a stranger in the town.
“I am the more pleased at finding how entirely I can trust you in this
matter; for I am likely to be obliged to leave Allan’s interests longer
than I supposed solely in your hands. My visit to Thorpe Ambrose must,
I regret to say, be deferred for two months. The only one of my
brother-clergymen in London who is able to take my duty for me cannot
make it convenient to remove with his family to Somersetshire before
that time. I have no alternative but to finish my business here, and be
back at my rectory on Saturday next. If anything happens, you will,
of course, instantly communicate with me; and, in that case, be the
inconvenience what it may, I must leave home for Thorpe Ambrose. If,
on the other hand, all goes more smoothly than my own obstinate
apprehensions will allow me to suppose, then Allan (to whom I have
written) must not expect to see me till this day two months.
“No result has, up to this time, rewarded our exertions to recover the
trace lost at the railway. I will keep my letter open, however, until
post time, in case the next few hours bring any news.
“Always truly yours,
“DECIMUS BROCK.
“P. S.--I have just heard from the lawyers. They have found out the name
the woman passed by in London. If this discovery (not a very important
one, I am afraid) suggests any new course of proceeding to you, pray act
on it at once. The name is--Miss Gwilt.”