While he was thus raging, a knock came to the door and a maid entered.

“Please, sir,” she said, “Miss Raymount says will you come to Mis’ess. She’s taken bad!”

This brought him to himself. The horrible fate was hers too! He must go to her. But how could she have heard the vile news? She must have heard it! What else could have made her ill? He followed the maid to where his wife stood in his daughter’s arms. He asked no questions, but took her himself, carried her to her room, and laid her on the bed. Then he sat down beside her, hardly caring if she died—the sooner they all died the better! Hester followed them in, and by and by the doctor came.

Hester had picked up the letter, and as her father sat there, she handed it to him. This was what he read:

Dear mistress,