"That's it, is it? I quite appreciate the reasons which actuate you, Mr. Wilkes, in wishing to make what you call your communication to Miss Patterson behind my back; and I think that Miss Patterson will appreciate them equally well. Mr. Wilkes has in his hand what he claims to be a letter from your father. If you take my advice you will insist on his showing it to you at once."
Miss Patterson was quick to act on the hint which her lover gave her. She moved close up to the lawyer.
"Mr. Wilkes, be so good as to let me see the letter to which my cousin refers."
"With pleasure, Miss Patterson, at--if you will allow me to say so--some more convenient season; the sooner the better. For instance, may I have a few minutes' private conversation with you this afternoon? The matter on which I wish to speak to you is for your ear only."
"Then, why can you not speak of it to me in his presence?"
"I will write to you on the subject, Miss Patterson, and will endeavour to make my reasons clear."
He made as if to move towards the door. She placed herself in front of him.
"One moment, Mr. Wilkes. Any letter from you will be handed to Mr. Elmore, unopened. I will have no private communication with you, nor, if I can help it, will I have any communication with you of any sort or kind."
"I regret to hear you say so, Miss Patterson, and can only deplore the attitude of mind which prompts you to arrive at what I cannot but feel is a most unfortunate decision."
The lawyer, with his dark eyes fixed on the lady's face, raised the hand in which was the envelope which contained the letter with the intention of slipping it into an inner pocket of his coat. Her quick glance recognised the handwriting of the address.
"It's from dad!" she cried. "It's a letter from dad!"
She had snatched the letter from between the lawyer's fingers before he had the faintest inkling of what she was about to do.
"Miss Patterson," he exclaimed, "give me back that letter."
She retreated, as he showed a disposition to advance. Mr. Elmore interposed himself between the lawyer and the lady.
"Steady, Mr. Wilkes, steady. You told me that it would be your duty to place that letter in Miss Patterson's hands. It is in her hands. What objection have you to offer?"