She dropped a little
curtsey to Mrs. Penfold, in whom the excitement of this sudden appearance
of Melrose's daughter had produced sheer and simple dumbness. She allowed
her hand to be shaken by Lydia and Susy, looking sharply at the former;
while Susy looked sharply at her. Then she subsided into a corner by Lady
Tatham. It was evident that she regarded herself as under that lady's
particular protection.
"Well?" said Lady Tatham in an eager aside to her son. She read his
aspect as that of a man preoccupied.
Tatham shrugged his shoulders with a glance at Felicia. Victoria
whispered to Lydia: "Will you tell your mother I want to speak a few
words to Harry on business?"
Mother and son passed into the garden together.
"A declaration of war!" said Tatham, as he handed a letter to her. "I
propose to instruct our solicitors at once."
Victoria read hastily. The writing was Faversham's. But the mind
expressed was Melrose's. Victoria read him in every line. She believed
the letter to have been simply dictated.
"DEAR LORD TATHAM:
"I have laid Mrs. Melrose's statement before Mr. Melrose. I regret to say
that he sees no cause to modify the arrangements made years ago with
regard to his wife, except that, in consideration of the fact that Miss
Melrose is now grown up, he will add L20 yearly to Mrs. Melrose's
allowance, making it L100 a year. Provision will be made for the
continuance of this allowance to Mrs. Melrose till her death, and
afterward to the daughter for her lifetime; _on condition that_ Mr.
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