“I'm surprised as well as grieved by what you tell me, Mrs. Hartley,” replied Chetwynd. “I thought Harry Netterville had more sense than to be influenced by an anonymous slanderer. He ought to have treated the letter with scorn. He knows Rose too well to doubt her for a moment.
“Yes; and that's what makes her so angry with him. 'Harry has never had the slightest reason to complain of me,' she says; and now he gets this false, wicked letter, which is only written to make mischief, he thinks it all true!”
“I fancy I can give a guess at the writer,” said Chetwynd. “The villain had a double motive for sending the letter! But I will see Harry Netterville myself to-morrow, and talk to him.”
“I fear you'll only make matters worse, sir. He is very prejudiced and stupid.”
“But the affair cannot be allowed to remain in this state. I owe it to myself to set it right.”
“Well, you must talk to Rose, sir. I expect her back shortly. She's gone about a place.”
“Yes; since her quarrel with Harry, she has determined to go into service, and our good friend Mr. Tankard has got her a situation as lady's maid. She is gone this evening to Belgrave Square to see Lady Thicknesse, who has engaged her.”
“Now, indeed, you surprise me!” cried Chetwynd. “This is a strange coincidence!”
“Yes; I thought you'd be surprised when I mentioned the name, as you recollect that was the house---- But here she comes!” she exclaimed, as a knock was heard at the door. “Rose, my dear,” she added, “here's some one waiting to see you.”
“I know who it is,” replied her daughter. “I expected to find Mr. Chetwynd Calverley here.”
In another moment she had taken off her hat and cloak, and came into the room, looking as pretty as ever, and, what could hardly have been expected under the circumstances, in very good spirits.
“I felt almost certain I should find you here, Mr. Calverley,” she said, after salutations rather more distant than formerly had passed between them. “You will understand why I say so when I tell you I have just seen your sister and Miss Barfleur, and two more charming, amiable young ladies I never beheld. It will be quite a pleasure to me to attend upon them. And I must say they appeared equally well pleased with me. They seemed to know all about me.”