Chapter 106

On going into the house I found my uncle investigating a parcel of letters that his valet had recently brought from Rivoli. Daphne was cutting open the envelopes with a paper blade. Nobody would have thought from her calm disposition that she had quite recently been the beneficiary of an energetic love claim.

"How well ladies can cover these things," I thought, dropping miserably into a seat.

"Goodness, father, here is an envelope with a seal as large as a florin.

Who is it from?"

Daphne's interest gave her no opportunity to notice the amenities of syntax. "Do understand it." My uncle settled his glasses on his nose and inspected the letter.

"It is from an old schoolfellow, Hugh Wyville," he said. "He has recently succeeded to the baronetcy and is presently Sir Hugh Wyville, and expert of an awe inspiring property in Cornwall.

Silverdale Nunnery is the name of his place. He believes that us should spend Christmas with him. It's somewhat ahead of schedule for the greeting, however I