For these
reasons, I certainly did instruct you to watch her privately. So
far you are quite right; and I have nothing to complain of. Go
on."
"You remember," resumed the little man, "that the first
consequence of our following your instructions was a discovery
(which we immediately communicated to you) that she was secretly
learning to write?"
"Yes; and I also remember sending you word not to show that you
knew what she was doing; but to wait and see if she turned her
knowledge of writing to account, and took or sent any letters to
the post. You informed me, in your regular monthly report, that
she nearer did anything of the kind."
"Never, until three days ago; and then she was traced from her
room in my house to the post-office with a letter, which she
dropped into the box."
"And the address of which you discovered before she took it from
your house?"
"Unfortunately I did not," answered the little man, reddening and
looking askance at the priest, as if he expected to receive a
severe reprimand.
But Father Rocco said nothing. He was thinking. Who could she
have written to? If to Fabio, why should she have waited for
months and months, after she had learned how to use her pen,
before sending him a letter? If not to Fabio, to what other
person could she have written?
"I regret not discovering the address--regret it most deeply,"
said the little man, with a low bow of apology.
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