Page:Authors daughter v1.djvu/305

Rh made some enquiries, and ere long would have come to the knowledge of my sister's whereabouts. The result would have been the same, only that the sight of these likenesses, and your expressions of affection and regret, give me a much more favourable impression of my unknown sister than I could have obtained from any other quarter."

"But if you had not got such a favourable impression you might have been satisfied with writing a kind friendly letter, offering help if she needed it, and not been so set upon having her home," said Jessie.

"No; I think under all circumstances I should have written for her. You say she is educated, but she must have been very young when her education was broken off." Mr. Derrick was ignorant of his sister's exact age and ashamed to confess his ignorance.

"She was only thirteen when her father died."

"And now she is sixteen or seventeen," said Anthony, who could work that little sum. "There is no time to be lost, I must write by the first opportunity. You know more about the Australian mails than I can be supposed to do."

"The Southampton mail has gone for this month, but the Marseilles mail closes the day after to-morrow," said George.