had
never seen any of them; troubles into which it is not necessary for me
to enter had made me withdraw until lately from all society, and I had
not felt able to respond to the kind invitations sent me from time to
time to visit one brother or another. I conceived the plan of sending
for you three cousins to spend the summer with me, with the idea that at
the end of the time I might ask one of you--the one who should seem most
contented, and who should be best suited to a quiet, country
life--to--a--to remain longer. This was my first plan. Perhaps it might
have been better if I had adhered to it; but I subsequently modified it,
not without a good deal of thought. It would be dull for you, I
reflected--_triste_, as Rita would say,--here with me. A strange uncle,
an elderly man, unused to young people, could not fail to be a constant
check, a constant restraint upon gay and youthful spirits. I wanted you
to be happy, so I decided to efface myself for a time, to let you have
the home of your fathers for your own, unhampered by the presence of
its owner."

Margaret made a motion of eager remonstrance, but her uncle checked her
with raised hand.

"One moment, my dear! I now come to John Strong."

Rita raised her eyes to his, full of proud defiance.

"I deceived you!" he went on, answering her look. "I now think it was
wrong, and Mrs. Cheriton, I ought to add, was opposed to the plan. But
in the first place my presence here was necessary for many reasons; and
in the second place I wanted to see you. I wanted to see you as you
really were, not constrained or on good behaviour, or in any way changed
from your own true selves. I think I succeeded."

There was a moment's silence, which none of the girls dared to break.

"My name is John Strong Montfort. I have been in the habit of spending a
part of every day among my plants and flowers, for reasons of health and
pleasure. It was simple enough for me to go from my private rooms to the
garden, to use the private staircase which--a--with which you are
familiar,"--Peggy winced and Margaret blushed, but Rita continued her
direct gaze at her uncle and gave no sign,--"and to pass (by a way that
has not yet been discovered) to and from the White Rooms. I intended to
keep up this little farce for a few weeks only, but somehow the time has
slipped by, and each day has brought you some new occupation which I was
loath to interrupt. Lately, I confess, there has been a new incentive