ll find an awkward obstacle in Mrs. Lecount.

So much for my information to the present date. The manner in which it
was received by Miss Vanstone showed the most ungrateful distrust of me.
She confided nothing to my private ear but the expression of her best
thanks. A sharp girl--a devilish sharp girl. But there is such a thing
as bowling a man out once too often; especially when the name of that
man happens to be Wragge.

Not a word more about the Entertainment; not a word more about moving
from our present quarters. Very good. My right hand lays my left hand
a wager. Ten to one, on her opening communications with the son as she
opened them with the father. Ten to one, on her writing to Noel Vanstone
before the month is out.

_21st_.--She has written by to-day's post. A long letter,
apparently--for she put two stamps on the envelope. (Private memorandum,
addressed to myself. Wait for the answer.)

_22d, 23d, 24th._--(Private memorandum continued. Wait for the answer.)

_25th._--The answer has come. As an ex-military man, I have naturally
employed stratagem to get at it. The success which rewards all genuine
perseverance has rewarded me--and I have got at it accordingly.

The letter is written, not by Mr. Noel Vanstone, but by Mrs. Lecount.
She takes the highest moral ground, in a tone of spiteful politeness.
Mr. Noel Vanstone's delicate health and recent bereavement prevent
him from writing himself. Any more letters from Miss Vanstone will be
returned unopened. Any personal application will produce an immediate
appeal to the protection of the law. Mr. Noel Vanstone, having been
expressly cautioned against Miss Magdalen Vanstone by his late lamented
father, has not yet forgotten his father's advice. Considers it a
reflection cast on the memory of the best of men, to suppose that his
course of action toward the Misses Vanstone can be other than the
course of action which his father pursued. This is what he has himself
instructed Mrs. Lecount to say. She has endeavored to express herself in
the most conciliatory language she could select; she had tried to avoid
giving unnecessary pain, by addressing Miss Vanstone (as a matter of
courtesy) by the family name; and she trusts these concessions, which
speak for themselves, will not be thrown away.--Such is the substance of
the letter, and so it ends.

I draw two conclusions from this little document. First--that it will
lead to serious results. Secondly--that Mrs. L