"
"Are you mad? The man has gone already in pursuit of your lover,
believing you with him."
"Then he will the more readily come and talk with me without him. Will
you take the invitation--yes or no?"
"Yes, but"--
"Enough. On your way there you will stop at the hotel and give Low a
letter from me."
"Nellie!"
"You shall read it, of course," she said scornfully, "for it will be
your text for the conversation you will have with him. Will you please
take your hand from the lock and open the door?"
Wynn mechanically opened the door. The young girl flew up-stairs. In a
very few moments she returned with two notes: one contained a few lines
of formal invitation to Dunn; the other read as follows:--
"DEAR MR. DORMAN: My father will tell you how deeply I regret that our
recent botanical excursions in the Carquinez Woods have been a source
of serious misapprehension to those who had a claim to my
consideration, and that I shall be obliged to discontinue them for the
future. At the same time he wishes me to express my gratitude for your
valuable instruction and assistance in that pleasing study, even though
approaching events may compel me to relinquish it for other duties.
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