"Do not trouble yourself, madam, on my account," I replied. "This letter I will borrow, with your leave, for awhile. There is not a moment to lose. The next hour may prove fatal to the interests of our unfortunate friend."
I had not spoken before Mrs Twisleton pulled the bell violently, shook my hand eagerly, and urged me to the door. Within ten minutes, I was face to face with Sinclair.
"Sinclair," said I, "you must return to London with me."
"You stand on a precipice," I continued. "Advance but another step, and you are lost."
"Translate your language, friend," said Rupert, "and suffer me at least to understand you."
"You are mistaken, Sinclair--cruelly deceived."
"Yes, again and again. No experience teaches you. No conviction reaches your judgment. Will you listen to me, and believe me?"
"The family of General Travis are not what you suppose them. I can prove them unworthy your confidence and affection. Will you link your fate with that of one who"----
"Read, read for yourself!" I exclaimed, placing the letter I had received from Mrs Twisleton, without further ceremony, in his hands.
He did read--every line, without the smallest surprise or perturbation--and then folded the document, and gave it back to me. I thought him mad.
"This is no news to me, Wilson," he said quietly. "I have been put on my guard respecting these slanderers. Their baseness does not take me by surprise. The trick is a poor one."
"Yes; if it deserve no harsher name. What know you of the writer of that letter?"
I had but one answer to give to that question--"Nothing." And the name of Mrs Twisleton was sacred.
"I thought so," proceeded Rupert. "Every assertion contained in that precious document has already met with a sufficient refutation. I know _my_ informant, and can rely upon _my_ information; advantages of which, dear Wilson, you cannot boast."
"Sinclair," I replied, with warmth, "remember what passed between us yesterday. 'Prove,' said you, 'that Elinor Travis is less good than beautiful and her influence ceases from that moment.' Give me time to prove it, or to ask your pardon and hers for as much as I have said already. I must exact this from you. It is all I ask. With this document before me, I can demand no less."