to say to himself that he was in
love with this pretty witch of the yellow hair, and his letter to his
mother was as cool and self-possessed as the most prudent among parents
could desire.

Bertram told his mother that he thought he could manage to exchange with
a brother officer, so as to secure his own leave while the days were
long and the weather fine. He said that if all went as he hoped, he
would be at the Manor by the end of the following week, and he sent his
love to his sisters, and hoped the mater was quite herself again.

Not once did he mention the name of Beatrice, but Mrs. Bertram read
between the lines. She admired her son for his caution. Her heart leaped
with exultation, her boy would not fail her.

If she had known that the old postman Benjafield had left a letter by
the very same post for Miss Hart at the lodge, and that this letter in a
disguised hand bore within the undoubted signature of her own beloved
captain, her rejoicing would not have been so keen. But as people are
very seldom allowed to see behind the scenes Mrs. Bertram may as well
have her short hour of triumph undisturbed.

CHAPTER XVIII.

"WHEN DUNCAN GRAY CAME HOME TO WOO."

Most people go away for change of air in the month of August, but this
was by no means the fashion in the remote, little old-world town of
Northbury. In November people left home if they could, for it was dull,
very dull at Northbury in November, but August was the prime month of
the year.

It was then the real salt from the broad Atlantic came into the limpid
waters of the little harbor. August was the month for bathing, for
yachting, for trawling. Some denizens of the outside world even came to
Northbury in August; the few lodging-houses were crammed to overflowing;
people put up with any accommodation for the sake of the crisp air, and
the lovely deep blue water of the bay. For in August this same water was
often at night alight with phosphorescent substances, which gave it the
appearance in the moonlight of liquid golden fire. It was then the girls
sang their best, and the young men said soft nothings, and hearts beat a
little more quickly than ordinary, and in short the mischievous,
teasing, fascinating god of love was abroad.

In preparation for these August days Perry the draper did a roaring
trade, for all the Northbury girls had fresh ribbons put on their sailor
hats, and fresh frills in their blue serge dresses, and their tan
leather gl