‘I know that if Mr. Torwood were able to do so, he would be willing to undertake the trouble of a journey to Whitbury, to see his father’s old friend, and do her a kindness. I cannot tell how far you, his deputy, are prepared to act, but can only say that I should esteem a visit as a personal favour, and should be extremely obliged if you would come and see me and the house, and ascertain for yourself the true state of the case. I feel convinced that we should then have no difficulty in coming to terms as to the new lease, for my wish is to have justice on both sides. ‘I trust that you will grant me the favour I ask. ‘Yours faithfully, ‘MARJORY DESCARTES. ‘Minster House, Whitbury.’ Tor pulled vigorously at his moustache, and paced the room thoughtfully. He was alone, for he had been out upon the farm early, and had come in before the breakfast-hour, and the ladies were not yet down. ‘Marjory Descartes! yes, I remember the name. My father spoke to me sometimes of Mr. Descartes and Miss Marjory. She is evidently Miss Marjory still. Why, of course she may have the house on any terms she likes to propose. I believe I’ve had somewhere about a hundred a year from it all this while. I’ll renew the lease on the same terms if she likes. It would be a shame to try and “do” a good tenant, such as she has always been. But I don’t see exactly why I need go down in person to tender this assurance; not that there could be any danger to my _incog._, as I haven’t been there since I was a baby: but I don’t see any good in mixing myself up more than is needful with my own affairs just now; and Wetherby might know me, if I were to come across him, as I have seen him from time to time, though not for many years now. I shouldn’t mind seeing the place and the house at all; but I’ll put it off, I think, until I can go as Torwood, not as Debenham. I’ll write to Miss Marjory, and guarantee that she shall not be disturbed or annoyed. I think that ought to satisfy her.’ So Tor, during the course of the day, penned the following neat little epistle: ‘DEAR MADAM, ‘I have received your letter about the house of my friend Mr. Torwood, which you rent, and am in a position to assure you that you have nothing to fear in your dealings with him. I hope, before very long, he will have recovered his health, and be able to pay his respects to you in person; and meantime I shall write to the agent to let him know that things are to go on as they are for a year. By that time Mr. Torwood will have resumed the management of his own affairs, and will be able to settle with you the terms of the new lease, which I am sure he will draw up so as to meet your views. ‘I trust this guarantee on my part will relieve you from all further anxiety. If my going to Whitbury could be of any service to you, I should be very pleased to accept your kind invitation; but if I take the steps I propose, I do not see what advantage would be gained by my doing so.