He wore his Quaker's disguise, and on the table beside him were the Bible and a few theological works dear to the hearts of his sect.

I gave him the box, telling him its history.

The letter was brief and was written in cipher.
George translated it thus:-- "MASTER GEORGE HAMILTON: "Monsieur le Grand wishes you to pay him a visit immediately.
"DE CATANET." "You probably know Monsieur le Grand ?" I asked.
"Yes," he answered, "and I shall visit him without delay." "In Paris ?" I asked, not quite sure that Monsieur le Grand was King Louis of France, and not desiring to know certainly.
"In Paris," he answered, giving me to understand by his manner that he must tell me nothing more definite of Le Grand's identity.
"Don't tell me what you know of the business this letter refers to, but tell me whether you know," I said, hoping that George might at least tell me it meant good fortune for him.
"I cannot even conjecture the business upon which I am wanted," he said, "but I hope that it may give me an opportunity to be of service to the writer." Thus I was relieved of the disagreeable task of trying to induce George to leave England, and was very thankful to escape it.
After a long silence, during which he read the one-line letter many times, he asked:-- "Are you willing to bring Frances to me early to-morrow morning, if she will come ?" "Doubtless I can," I answered.

"Her willingness to come has been shown all too plainly of late; but ought I bring her ?" "Yes.

It will be the last time I shall ever see her unless good fortune lies in this letter, and for that I hardly dare hope.