weakness, indeed, but she always forgave those who used her
most cruelly. Yes, she would take Beth back if she would say she was
sorry. That she was truly repentant Miss Raymond had assured her.
Horace and his pretty fiancee had called to see her when they were in
the city the day before, and Mrs. Jarvis had understood from them that
Beth loved her in spite of her strange, cruel actions, and was ready to
return. The doctor had prescribed a sea voyage, and just as soon as
she could get a little strength to do some shopping, she would start
for Europe. She was going with a party--Mr. Huntley was to be one of
them--and Beth must come too. Yes, she really must. Mrs. Jarvis was
ready to forgive and forget. So was Mr. Huntley, she felt sure. Of
course, he was grieved and hurt at Beth's conduct. He could not
understand why she had gone away without a word of farewell. She
herself had smoothed matters over as well as she could, but the worry
of it all had got on her nerves. She did not pretend to understand
what strange notions Beth had got into her head. As though she and Mr.
Huntley and Blanche Kendall were responsible for all the poverty in
Toronto. Well, there was no use discussing the matter further--it only
made her nerves worse--and Dr. Ralston had said any more worry might
prove fatal. But she felt that the sea-voyage would perhaps help her.
Beth must write at once and say what she would do, for Madeline would
come if Beth forsook her. Madeline had written, indeed, offering her
services. There was more about the headaches and nerves, but it ended
with words of genuine affection, that brought the tears to Elizabeth's
eyes. To fight against love was the hardest task for Elizabeth.
Almost everyone she cared for, John, her aunt, Mrs. Jarvis, and
Estella, warm-hearted and loyal as she was in spite of many faults,
seemed arrayed against her to force her to yield.

The other letter was in Mr. Huntley's best formal and semi-pompous
style. He, too, began in a slightly aggrieved tone. He did not know
until lately that Miss Gordon was not coming back to Toronto at once.
He had fancied that some slight announcement of her departure was due
him, but, of course, she knew best. Her brother, too, had gone without
acquainting him of the fact. His appointment was still open, and he
would be expected to be on duty within a week's time. Of course, Dr.
Gordon might not care to accept the position now; Mr. Huntley had