"Mrs. Costello is in France. Did I understand that you had known her in Canada?"
"I have known her all my life. I spent the last summer and autumn in England, and did not return to Canada until after she had left, but she knew that I should have occasion to see her, or write to her as soon as I could reach home again, and I am anxious to do so now."
"You are aware that Mrs. Costello wishes to live very quietly? Her health is much broken."
"I know all. Mrs. Costello has herself told me. Pray trust me--you may, indeed."
"You will excuse my hesitation if you do know all; but, certainly, I have no authority to refuse their address."
She got up and opened a desk which stood on a table in the room. She had considered the matter while they were talking, and come to the conclusion that the address ought to be given, while at the same time she wished to know more of the person to whom she gave it.
"I wish Mr. Wynter had been at home," she said after a minute's pause, during which she was turning over the papers in the desk, and Maurice was watching her eagerly. "He would have been able to tell you something of your friends, for he only returned home a week or two ago from meeting them."
"No. Perhaps, Mrs. Wynter, you would like to have my address? My coming to you as I have done, without credentials of any sort, must certainly seem strange."
"Thank you; you will understand that I feel in some little difficulty."
"I understand perfectly." He wrote his name and address in full and gave it to her. "Mrs. Costello was a dear friend of my mother's," he said; "she has always treated me almost as a son, and I cannot help hoping that what I have to say to her may be welcome news."
"Do you expect to see her, then, or only to write?"
"I am on my way to Paris. I hope to see them."
"Here is the address. You have had a long journey, the servant told me."
"From Hunsdon. And the journey out of Norfolk into Cheshire is a tiresome one. Thank you very much. Can I take any message to Mrs. Costello?"
"None, thank you, except our kindest remembrances. But you will let me offer you something--at least a glass of wine?"
But Maurice had now got all he wanted. He just glanced at the precious paper, put it away safely, declined Mrs. Wynter's offers, and was out of the house and on his way back to Chester in a very short space of time.