That letter he dispatched by the hand of his servant Nunweek,
desiring him to bring an answer. It was a communication that had
upon her ladyship's troubled mind precisely the effect that the
rascal conceived. There was about Sir Richard's personality
nothing that could suggest the villain. He was a smiling, blue-
eyed, florid gentleman, of a kindly manner that led folk to trust
him. And on the occasion of his late visit to Cumnor he had
displayed such tender solicitude that her ladyship--starved of
affection as she was--had been deeply touched.
His letter so cunningly couched filled her with vague alarm and
with anxiety. She had heard so many and such afflicting rumours,
and had received in my lord's cruel neglect of her such
circumstantial confirmation of them, that she fastened avidly
upon what she deemed the chance of learning at last the truth.
Sir Richard Verney had my lord's confidence, and was much about
the court in his attendance upon my lord. He would know the
truth, and what could this letter mean but that he was disposed
to tell it.
So she sent him back a line in answer, bidding him come on Sunday
afternoon. She would contrive to be alone in the house, so that
he need not fear being seen by any.
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