red. I cannot say I am able to find that it has any concern
with the affair on which you are engaged, but you may see deeper than I
do. At all events, I will bring it to your attention for what it may be
worth.

You have no doubt heard of the very fine mansion on Long Island,
tentatively called "the Stanislaws House?" I hoped that when I became
heir to the property it would be mine, with the rest. Unfortunately this
was not the case. It had been left to a friend of the late heir, as was
indubitably proved by Mr. James Strickland, who legally represented the
Stanislaws family, father and son. Now, through Strickland, the place
has been offered to me, if I wish to buy it. I should be inclined to do
so if I did not suspect something underhand in the business, though
what, I cannot define.

The somewhat extended motor trip which has taken me away from Kidd's
Pines is now nearly over; but you might wire anything important to Great
Barrington, Mass., where I shall be stopping for a night after leaving
here.

Yours truly,

E. CASPIAN.

XXVIII

PATRICIA MOORE TO ADRIENNE DE MONCOURT

_Bretton Woods._

CHERE PETITE:

I must write to tell you I am happy again, though I ought not to be, and
have no right. Oh, it is like a miracle coming to pass, to be suddenly
happy when you have thought all was at an end.

Suppose that it has poured down rain on your poor head for many days,
and you are wet and cold, oh, but cold through and through to your
heart, and you have forgotten the feel of sunshine. Then, of a sudden, a
stream of light breaks out and dazzles in your eyes. You are warm, you
sing for joy. In the back of your mind a voice may say, "The clouds will
shut up again, this is not to last." For the moment you are happy and do
not care for what will come. You just hold out your arms to the warm ray
of light.

It was like that with me to-day, and in all senses of speaking, for I
was in a great rain, alone and very sad and soaked--but I will tell you.
There is none else I may tell, not even Molly; for if I said this to
her, she would again offer and insist to lend us money that the ring of
Mr. Caspian could be got from the Mont de Piete and given back to him.
She would think that was the only thing needed to end the engagement
which makes me miserable; and so it woul