it ran across the paper in an agitated scrawl most unlike her usual
neat Italian penmanship.

"My dearest Harry,

"You must come home to me at once, and by the first coach.
I cannot tell you what has happened save this--that you must
not look to see your father alive. We dwell in the midst of
alarms which A. Selkirk preferred to the solitude of Juan
Fernandez; but in this I differ from him totally, and so will
you when you hear what we have gone through. Come at once,
Harry, with the bravest heart you can summon, Such is the
earnest prayer of:"

"Your sincere friend in affliction,"
"Amelia Plinlimmon."

"P.S.--Pray ask Mrs. Stimcoe to be kind enough to advance the
fare if your pocket-money will not suffice."

"And I doubt if there's two shillings in the house!" commented Mrs.
Stimcoe, candid for once, "and God knows what I can pawn!"

Captain Branscome plunged his hand into his pocket and drew out a
guinea. Captain Branscome--who, to the knowledge of both of us,
never had a shilling in his pocket--stood there nervously proffering
me a guinea!