The waiting policy was
especially the policy to pursue with a woman as sensitive as Agnes.
If he once offended her delicacy he was lost. For the moment he wisely
controlled himself and changed the subject.
'My little niece's letter has had an effect,' he said,
'which the child never contemplated in writing it. She has just
reminded me of one of the objects that I had in calling on you to-day.'
Agnes looked at the child's letter. 'How does Lucy do that?'
she asked.
'Lucy's governess is not the only lucky person who has had money
left her,' Henry answered. 'Is your old nurse in the house?'
'You don't mean to say that nurse has got a legacy?'
'She has got a hundred pounds. Send for her, Agnes, while I show
you the letter.'
He took a handful of letters from his pocket, and looked through them,
while Agnes rang the bell. Returning to him, she noticed a printed
letter among the rest, which lay open on the table. It was a
'prospectus,' and the title of it was 'Palace Hotel Company of Venice
(Limited).' The two words, 'Palace' and 'Venice,' instantly recalled
her mind to the unwelcome visit of Lady Montbarry.
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