ecured the letter as he had secured the letter that preceded
it--side by side in his pocket-book with the narrative of Allan's Dream.

"How many days more?" he asked himself, as he went back to the house.
"How many days more?"

Not many. The time he was waiting for was a time close at hand.

Monday came, and brought Mr. Bashwood, punctual to the appointed hour.
Monday came, and found Allan immersed in his preparations for the
picnic. He held a series of interviews, at home and abroad, all through
the day. He transacted business with Mrs. Gripper, with the butler,
and with the coachman, in their three several departments of eating,
drinking, and driving. He went to the town to consult his professional
advisers on the subject of the Broads, and to invite both the lawyers,
father and son (in the absence of anybody else in the neighborhood whom
he could ask), to join the picnic. Pedgift Senior (in his department)
supplied general information, but begged to be excused from appearing at
the picnic, on the score of business engagements. Pedgift Junior (in his
department) added all the details; and, casting business engagements to
the winds, accepted the invitation with the greatest pleasure. Returning
from the lawyer's office, Allan's next proceeding was to go to the
major's cottage and obtain Miss Milroy's approval of the proposed
locality for the pleasure party. This object accomplished, he returned
to his own house, to meet the last difficulty now left to encounter--the
difficulty of persuading Midwinter to join the expedition to the Broads.

On first broaching the subject, Allan found his friend impenetrably
resolute to remain at home. Midwinter's natural reluctance to meet the
major and his daughter after what had happened at the cottage, might
probably have been overcome. But Midwinter's determination not to allow
Mr. Bashwood's course of instruction to be interrupted was proof
against every effort that could be made to shake it. After exerting his
influence to the utmost, Allan was obliged to remain contented with a
compromise. Midwinter promised, not very willingly, to join the party
toward evening, at the place appointed for a gypsy tea-making, which was
to close the proceedings of the day. To this extent he would consent to
take the opportunity of placing himself on a friendly footing with the
Milroys. More he could not concede, even to Allan's persuasion, and for
more it would be useless to ask.

The day of th