The maid brought up, with his early morning cup of tea, a note which had been found in the letter- box.

It was from Lady Arabella, and was evidently intended to put him on his guard as to what he should say about the previous evening.
He read it over carefully several times, before he was satisfied that he had taken in its full import.
"DEAR MR.

SALTON, "I cannot go to bed until I have written to you, so you must forgive me if I disturb you, and at an unseemly time.

Indeed, you must also forgive me if, in trying to do what is right, I err in saying too much or too little.

The fact is that I am quite upset and unnerved by all that has happened in this terrible night.