Cecil's head clerk, from Warborne, particularly
wished to see her.
Mr. Cecil was her solicitor, and she knew of nothing whatever that
required his intervention just at present. But he would not have
sent at this time of day without excellent reasons, and she directed
that the young man might be shown in where she was. On his entry
the first thing she noticed was that in his hand he carried a
newspaper.
'In case you should not have seen this evening's paper, Lady
Constantine, Mr. Cecil has directed me to bring it to you at once,
on account of what appears there in relation to your ladyship. He
has only just seen it himself.'
'What is it? How does it concern me?'
'I will point it out.'
'Read it yourself to me. Though I am afraid there's not enough
light.'
'I can see very well here,' said the lawyer's clerk stepping to the
window. Folding back the paper he read:--
'"NEWS FROM SOUTH AFRICA.
'"CAPE TOWN, May 17 (via Plymouth).--A correspondent of the Cape
Chronicle states that he has interviewed an Englishman just arrived
from the interior, and learns from him that a considerable
misapprehension exists in England concerning the death of the
traveller and hunter, Sir Blount Constantine--"'
'O, he's living! My husband is alive,' she cried, sinking down in
nearly a fainting condition.
Pages:
289
290
291
292
293
294
295
296
297
298
299
300
301
302
303
304
305
306
307
308
309
310
311
312
313