"I don't quite understand," said Ida, her breast heaving, and a
curious light shining in her eyes.
"Don't you?" said her father, "then perhaps you will read that," and
he pushed the papers to her. As he did so another letter which he had
not observed fell out of them.
At this point Harold rose to go.
"Don't go, Quaritch, don't go," said the Squire. "I shall be glad of
your advice, and I am sure that what you hear will not go any
further."
At the same time Ida motioned him to stay, and though somewhat
unwillingly he did so.
"Dear Sir," began the Squire, reading the letter aloud,--
"Inclosed you will find the usual formal notices calling in the sum
of thirty thousand pounds recently advanced upon the mortgage of
the Honham Castle Estates by Edward Cossey, Esq. These mortgages
have passed into my possession for value received, and it is now
my desire to realise them. I most deeply regret being forced to
press an old client, but my circumstances are such that I am
obliged to do so. If I can in any way facilitate your efforts to
raise the sum I shall be very glad. But in the event of the money
not being forthcoming at the end of six months' notice the
ordinary steps will be taken to realise by foreclosure.
"I am, dear sir, yours truly,
"W.
Pages:
325
326
327
328
329
330
331
332
333
334
335
336
337
338
339
340
341
342
343
344
345
346
347
348
349