"You may write to William Linville, Poste-Restante, Louvain, Belgium. I
am sure I can trust you to destroy this letter.
"Louvain is a quiet, out-of-the-way place, where one can live quite
separated from all old friends, and very cheaply.
"Considering the small amount of money that I have left, I rely upon
you to exercise the greatest economy. I do not know how long it may be
before just claims are paid up--perhaps in two months--perhaps in
six--but until things are settled there will be tightness.
"At the same time it will not be difficult, as soon as Lady Harry goes
to London, to obtain some kind of advance from the family solicitor on
the strength of the insurance due to her from her late husband.
"I am sorry, dear doctor, to leave you alone over the obsequies of this
unfortunate gentleman. You will also have, I hear, a good deal of
correspondence with his family. You may, possibly, have to see them in
England. All this you will do, and do very well. Your bill for medical
attendance you will do well to send in to the widow.
"One word more. Fanny Mere, the maid, has gone to London; but she has
not seen Lady Harry. As soon as she hears that her mistress has left
London she will be back to Passy. She may come at any moment. I think
if I were you I would meet her at the garden gate and send her on. It
would be inconvenient if she were to arrive before the funeral.
"My dear doctor, I rely on your sense, your prudence, and your
capability.--Yours very sincerely, "Your ENGLISH FRIEND."
He read this letter very carefully. Nothing in it he thought the least
dangerous, and yet something suggested danger. However, he left it; he
was obliged to caution and warn the doctor, and he was obliged to get
his wife away as quietly as possible.
This done, he packed up his things and hurried off to the station, and
Passy saw him no more.
The next day the mortal remains of Lord Harry Norland were lowered into
the grave.