Miss Rowly had received a bulky letter by the morning's post.

She had not opened it, but had allowed it to rest beside her plate all breakfast- time.

Then she had taken it away with her to her own sitting-room.
Stephen did not appear to take any notice of it.

She knew quite well that it was from some one in London whom her aunt had asked to pay Leonard's bills.

She also knew that the old lady had some purpose in her reticence, so she waited.