So much for my information to the present date.  The manner in which it was received by Miss Vanstone showed the most ungrateful distrust of me.  She confided nothing to my private ear but the expression of her best thanks.  A sharp girl—­a devilish sharp girl.  But there is such a thing as bowling a man out once too often; especially when the name of that man happens to be Wragge.

Not a word more about the Entertainment; not a word more about moving from our present quarters.  Very good.  My right hand lays my left hand a wager.  Ten to one, on her opening communications with the son as she opened them with the father.  Ten to one, on her writing to Noel Vanstone before the month is out.

21st.—­She has written by to-day’s post.  A long letter, apparently—­for she put two stamps on the envelope. (Private memorandum, addressed to myself.  Wait for the answer.)

22d, 23d, 24th.—­(Private memorandum continued.  Wait for the answer.)

25th.—­The answer has come.  As an ex-military man, I have naturally employed stratagem to get at it.  The success which rewards all genuine perseverance has rewarded me—­and I have got at it accordingly.

The letter is written, not by Mr. Noel Vanstone, but by Mrs. Lecount.  She takes the highest moral ground, in a tone of spiteful politeness.  Mr. Noel Vanstone’s delicate health and recent bereavement prevent him from writing himself.  Any more letters from Miss Vanstone will be returned unopened.  Any personal application will produce an immediate appeal to the protection of the law.  Mr. Noel Vanstone, having been expressly cautioned against Miss Magdalen Vanstone by his late lamented father, has not yet forgotten his father’s advice.  Considers it a reflection cast on the memory of the best of men, to suppose that his course of action toward the Misses Vanstone can be other than the course of action which his father pursued.  This is what he has himself instructed Mrs. Lecount to say.  She has endeavored to express herself in the most conciliatory language she could select; she had tried to avoid giving unnecessary pain, by addressing Miss Vanstone (as a matter of courtesy) by the family name; and she trusts these concessions, which speak for themselves, will not be thrown away.—­Such is the substance of the letter, and so it ends.

I draw two conclusions from this little document.  First—­that it will lead to serious results.  Secondly—­that Mrs. Lecount, with all her politeness, is a dangerous woman to deal with.  I wish I saw my way safe before me.  I don’t see it yet.

29th.—­Miss Vanstone has abandoned my protection; and the whole lucrative future of the dramatic entertainment has abandoned me with her.  I am swindled—­I, the last man under heaven who could possibly have expected to write in those disgraceful terms of myself—­I AM SWINDLED!

Let me chronicle the events.  They exhibit me, for the time being, in a sadly helpless point of view.  But the nature of the man prevails:  I must have the events down in black and white.