to
the four counties.

Chapter XVI: _Blue Eyes_

Michael managed to avoid during the rest of the week any reference,
direct or indirect, to his interrupted conversation with Mrs. Ross,
though he fancied a reproachfulness in her manner towards him,
especially at the moment of saying good-bye. He was not therefore much
surprized to receive a letter from her soon after he was back in
Carlington Road.

COBBLE PLACE,

_September 18th._

_My dear Michael,_

_I have blamed myself entirely for what happened the other day. I
should have been honoured by your confidence, and I cannot think
why a wretched old-fashioned priggishness should have shown itself
just when I least wished it would. I confess I was shocked for a
moment, and perhaps I horridly imagined more than you meant to
imply. If I had paused to think, I should have known that your
desire to confide in me was alone enough to prove that you were
fully conscious of the effect of anything you may have done. And
after all in any sin--forgive me if I'm using too strong a word
under a misapprehension--it is the effect which counts most
deeply._

_I'm inclined to think that in all you do through life, you will
chiefly have to think of the effect of it on other people. I
believe that you yourself are one of those characters that never
radically deteriorate. This is rather a dangerous statement to make
to anyone so young as you are. But I'm sure you are wise enough not
to use it in justification of any wrong impulse. Do always
remember, my dear boy, that however unscathed, you feel yourself to
be, you must never assume that to be the case with anyone else. I
am really dreadfully distressed to think that by my own want of
sympathy on a crucial occasion I have had to try to put into a
letter what could only have been hammered out in a long talk. And
we did hammer out something the other day. Or am I too optimistic?
Write to me some time and reassure me a little, for I'm truly
worried about you, and so indignant with my stupid self. Best love
from us all,_

_Your affectionate_

_Maud Ross._

Michael merely pondered this letter coldly. He was still under the
influence of the disappointment, and when he answered Mrs. Ross he
answered her without regard to any wound he might inflict.

64 CARLINGTON ROA