suggestion--'he ought to feel that for your sake there should be no
secret from your father.' Then she paused a moment to think.
'Will you let me see Mr Tregear myself, and talk to him about it?'

To this Lady Mary at first demurred, but when she found that in no
other way could she prevent Mrs Finn from going at once to the
Duke and telling him everything, she consented. Under Mrs Finn's
directions she wrote a note to her lover, which Mrs Finn saw, and
then undertook to send it, with a letter from herself, to Mr
Tregear's address in London. The note was very short, and was
indeed dictated by the elder lady, with some dispute, however, as
to certain terms, in which the younger lady had her way. It was as
follows:

'DEAREST FRANK,
'I wish you to see Mrs Finn, who, as you know,
was dear mamma's most particular friend. Please go to
her, as she will ask you to do so. When you hear what
she says I think you ought to do what she advises.
'Yours for ever and always,
'M.P.'

This Mrs Finn sent enclosed in an envelope, with a few words from
herself, asking the gentleman to call upon her in Park Lane, on a
day and hour fixed.



CHAPTER 3