etter
from him. He had abundance of occupation in repairing the house and
improving the property, which was in a sadly neglected state. He had
not seen Sir Marcus Wardhill, but he understood that he was failing.
The Lady Hilda seldom left the castle. She was said to spend most of
the hours of the day and night in her turret chamber, occupying herself
with her books, though, as the country people observed, she got very
little good out of them. "But you know, my dear Ronald," he added, "I
am not the man to interfere with my neighbours' doings. I wish that the
poor Lady Hilda's lot had been happier, and as for Sir Marcus, whatever
may be his feelings towards me, I never bore him any ill-will." In a
P.S. he added, "I have just had a visit from Lawrence Brindister; he
looks wonderfully little changed. It is thought wears out a man, they
say, and he, poor man, does not do much in that way. He shook me warmly
by the hand and shuffled about the room, examining everything, and
talking of old times, while he made his comments on everything he saw.
He is madder, in my opinion, than ever, for he talked in the strangest
way of events of which he was cognisant; but when I questioned him, said
he should say nothing till you made your appearance. I hope, therefore,
Ronald, that you will come as soon as you can get leave, and induce our
eccentric cousin to give us the information he possesses, though I
confess that I shall not be surprised if after all it turns out he knows
nothing of importance. I received a visit from my old friend Captain
Maitland. He came over in his boat from North Maven. He bears his
eighty winters wonderfully well. I used to think him an oldish man
nearly thirty years ago. How time flies. Though I say come when you
can, I would not for a moment draw you away from your duty. You know
that so well that I need not have said so. I shall be looking soon for
your promotion. I met Captain Courtney while I was in Portsmouth; he
told me that you were sure to get it, and that he would see that you
were not passed by. Again, my dear boy, good-bye. No more at present
from your affectionate father--

"R.M."

His father's letter cheered Ronald for a time. He was glad to find that
he was contented with the lot he had selected, and he determined not to
tell him of his own anxieties and unhappiness. Glover, at his request,
again made inquiries of Mrs Edmonstone, but her reply was as before--
she could gain