You are aware that a letter reached her a few hours before
she left Hampshire? There is no doubt that letter influenced her actions.
I do not mind admitting a fact which is so obvious."
"The revelation that could move her to such a step must have been a very
startling one."
"It was strong enough to decide her course," replied the lawyer gravely.
"And you can assure me that she is in good hands?" Gilbert asked
anxiously.
"I have every reason to suppose so. She is with her father."
Mr. Medler announced this fact as if there were nothing extraordinary in
it. Gilbert started to his feet.
"What!" he exclaimed; "she is with Mr. Nowell--the father who neglected
her in her youth, who of course seeks her now only for the sake of her
fortune? And you call that being in good hands, Mr. Medler? For my own
part, I cannot imagine a more dangerous alliance. When did Percival
Nowell come to England?"
"A very short time ago. I have only been aware of his return within the
last two or three weeks. His first step on arriving in this country was
to seek for his daughter."
"Yes; when he knew that she was rich, no doubt."
"I do not think that he was influenced by mercenary motives," the lawyer
said, with a calm judicial air. "Of course, as a man of the world, I am
not given to look at such matters from a sentimental point of view.
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