.

"I have been thinking of that," he replied; "and I mean to feel my way
first, and then tell him or not afterward, as matters turn out?"

A proceeding so cautious as this was too strikingly inconsistent with
Allan's character not to surprise any one who knew him. Midwinter showed
his surprise plainly.

"You forget that foolish flirtation of mine with Miss Milroy," Allan
went on, more and more confusedly. "The major may have noticed it, and
may have thought I meant--well, what I didn't mean. It might be rather
awkward, mightn't it, to propose to his face for his governess instead
of his daughter?"

He waited for a word of answer, but none came. Midwinter opened his lips
to speak, and suddenly checked himself. Allan, uneasy at his silence,
doubly uneasy under certain recollections of the major's daughter which
the conversation had called up, rose from the table and shortened the
interview a little impatiently.

"Come! come!" he said, "don't sit there looking unutterable things;
don't make mountains out of mole-hills. You have such an old, old head,
Midwinter, on those young shoulders of yours! Let's have done with all
these _pros_ and _cons_. Do you mean to tell me in plain words that it
won't do to speak to the major?"

"I can't take the responsibility, Allan, of telling you that. To be
plainer still, I can't feel confident of the soundness of any advice
I may give you in--in our present position toward each other. All I am
sure of is that I cannot possibly be wrong in entreating you to do two
things."

"What are they?"

"If you speak to Major Milroy, pray remember the caution I have given
you! Pray think of what you say before you say it!"

"I'll think, never fear! What next?"

"Before you take any serious step in this matter, write and tell Mr.
Brock. Will you promise me to do that?"

"With all my heart. Anything more?"

"Nothing more. I have said my last words."

Allan led the way to the door. "Come into my room," he said, "and I'll
give you a cigar. The servants will be in here directly to clear away,
and I want to go on talking about Miss Gwilt."

"Don't wait for me," said Midwinter; "I'll follow you in a minute or
two."

He remained seated until Allan had closed the door, then rose, and
took from a corner of the room, where it lay hidden behind one of the
curtains, a knapsack ready packed for traveling. As he stood at the
window thinking, with the knapsack in his hand, a strangely old,
care-w