A man was dimly visible below. He called
to them in thick, unsteady accents. The servants recognized him: he was
the telegraphic messenger from the railway. They went down to speak to
him--and returned with a telegram which had been pushed in under the
door. The distance from the station was considerable; the messenger had
been "keeping Christmas" in more than one beer-shop on his way to the
house; and the delivery of the telegram had been delayed for some
hours. It was addressed to Natalie. She opened it--looked at it--dropped
it--and stood speechless; her lips parted in horror, her eyes staring
vacantly straight before her.
Miss Lavinia took the telegram from the floor, and read these lines:
"Lady Winwood, Hertford Street, London. To Natalie Graybrooke, Church
Meadows, Baxdale, Somersetshire. Dreadful news. R. T. has discovered
your marriage to Launce. The truth has been kept from me till to-day
(24th). Instant flight with your husband is your only chance. I would
have communicated with Launce, but I do not know his address.
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