“I have some painful news to impart to you in connection with the business which has occupied my attention for so many years. I wish to heaven your father were still alive so that I might break it to him instead of to you, but it being your express wish that the thing should go on to the bitter end, I have no help for it, but to summon you to town as quickly as possible. On receipt of this letter, which I calculate will reach you about noon to-morrow, will you take the next train from Pitstow to King’s Cross? I will meet you at King’s Cross and bring you straight here to my own house. I shall have something to communicate to you then which will fall as a blow on you, madam. I trust to your good sense, however, to keep up under these afflicting circumstances, and to remember the solemn promise you are under to your late father. “I am, Madam, “Your respectful servant, “ROBERT CROSSLEY.” CHAPTER XXXI. A SUMMONS. Nance received Crossley’s letter about noon on the following day. Lady Georgina was, of course, still with her. Nance and this lady were standing by the drawing-room window when Jacob brought in the letter. Before he left the room, he perceived the death like hue which spread over his young mistress’s face. “When all is said and done, mine is an odious calling,” he muttered to himself. He went straight to the housekeeper’s room. “Mrs. Ferguson,” he said, “even at the risk of incurring your displeasure, I must ask you to give me another holiday.” “What, Jacob, another! Really, what servants are coming to in this day passes belief. The old business, is it?” “Yes, ma’am, the old trouble,” answered Jacob. “Well, well, I am sorry for you. You’ll be back to-morrow?” “Certain, sure, ma’am, and I am much obliged.” Jacob left the room. He had scarcely done so when the drawing-room bell summoned him to appear there. Mrs. Rowton was standing by a table—she was taking up and putting down some new magazines—there was an abstracted and somewhat alarmed look on her face. When Jacob appeared she started. “Did you ring, madam?” he asked. “Yes,” she replied. “Will you, please, go to the stables at once, and desire the coachman to bring the carriage round to meet the next train to town?” “The covered carriage, madam?” “Yes, the brougham with the basket on top for luggage.” “Very well, madam; the next train leaves for town at 3.30,” answered Jacob. “Desire the carriage to be round in good time.” “Now it is my turn,” said Lady Georgina, who had sat quite silent during all this time by the window. She approached the table where Nance was standing. “May I ask, Nancy Rowton,” she said, “if that mysterious letter was from your husband?” “It was not,” answered Nance. “Ah! that is strange; and yet the letter was a summons for you to go to town?” “Yes, it was,” replied Nance. “And not from your husband?”