It ran as follows:-- "MY DEAR VESEY,--I had some rather bad news on the night of Miss Lucy Sorrel's birthday party.

A certain speculation in which I had an interest has failed, and I have lost on the whole 'gamble.' The matter will not, however, affect my financial position.

You have all your instructions in order as given to you when we last met, so I shall leave town with an easy mind.

I am likely to be away for some time, and am not yet certain of my destination.

Consider me, therefore, for the present as lost.