He wore his
Quaker's disguise, and on the table beside him were the Bible and a few
theological works dear to the hearts of his sect. I gave him the box,
telling him its history. The letter was brief and was written in cipher.
George translated it thus:--
"MASTER GEORGE HAMILTON:
"Monsieur le Grand wishes you to pay him a visit immediately.
"DE CATANET."
"You probably know Monsieur le Grand?" I asked.
"Yes," he answered, "and I shall visit him without delay."
"In Paris?" I asked, not quite sure that Monsieur le Grand was King Louis
of France, and not desiring to know certainly.
"In Paris," he answered, giving me to understand by his manner that he
must tell me nothing more definite of Le Grand's identity.
"Don't tell me what you know of the business this letter refers to, but
tell me whether you know," I said, hoping that George might at least tell
me it meant good fortune for him.
"I cannot even conjecture the business upon which I am wanted," he said,
"but I hope that it may give me an opportunity to be of service to the
writer."
Thus I was relieved of the disagreeable task of trying to induce George
to leave England, and was very thankful to escape it.
After a long silence, during which he read the one-line letter many
times, he asked:--
"Are you willing to bring Frances to me early to-morrow morning, if she
will come?"
"Doubtless I can," I answered.
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