This letter might chance to fall into other hands than yours
(Indian letters do _sometimes_ miscarry), and the secret is one
which had better be kept in the family--at least for the present.
So, mother mine, your curiosity must rest unsatisfied for a little
while to come. I hope to be with you before many months are over,
and then you shall know everything.
"The value of the Rajah's present is something immense. I shall
sell it when I get to England, and out of the proceeds I
shall--well, I don't exactly know what I shall do. Purchase my
next step for one thing, but that will cost a mere trifle. Then,
perhaps, buy a comfortable estate in the country, or a house in
Park Lane. Your six weeks every season in London lodgings was
always inexplicable to me.
"Or shall I not sell the Rajah's present, but offer myself in
marriage to some fair princess, with my heart in one hand and the
G.H.D. in the other? Madder things than that are recorded in
history. In any case, don't forget to pray for the safe arrival of
your son, and (if such a petition is allowable) that he may not
fail to bring with him the G.H.D.
"C.C."
"I never could understand before to-day what the letters G.H.D. were
meant for," said Lady Chillington, as Janet gave her back the letter.
"It is now quite evident that they were intended for _Great Hara
Diamond_; all of which, as I said before, is confirmatory of the story
you have just told me.
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