Chapter 7

_From Mrs. Noel Vanstone to Mr. Loscombe._

"November 16th.

"DEAR SIR--Accept my best thanks for the kindness and consideration with
which you have treated me; and let the anxieties under which I am now
suffering plead my excuse, if I reply to your letter without ceremony,
in the fewest possible words.

"I have my own reasons for not hesitating to answer your question in the
negative. It is impossible for us to go to law, as you propose, on the
subject of the Will.

"Believe me, dear sir, yours gratefully,

"MAGDALEN VANSTONE."