nicely secured her quarter's allowance. He returned to his own house
in Eden Street, and in the privacy of his back parlor opened Mr.
Danesfield's letter. It was a short letter, and, as it happened was
not written by Mr. Danesfield at all. Dove, however, by patient
spelling and peering, presently mastered its contents.

"The Bank,
"High Street, Rosebury,
"April 21.

"MADAM,

"In Mr. Danesfield's absence, I send you a cheque for £17 10_s._,
according to his orders. The cheque will require your signature at the
back, and if you will kindly sign it you, or any one else, can obtain
cash for the amount at the Metropolitan Bank, Strand.

"I expect Mr. Danesfield home in about six weeks; he has been
wintering abroad.

"Yours faithfully,
"JOHN DAVIS."

Dove took the greater part of an hour to make this letter out; next he
fingered the cheque, turning it backwards and forwards; then his face
grew very blank--for, unsigned, that cheque was valueless. He was a
violent man, and he uttered some strong expressions, and his wife, on
hearing them, took good care to keep out of his way. She could not
make out why Dove sat so long in the back parlor, and why he refused
to eat his dinner, which was very hot and tasty. After a time, with a