are must be kept as
strictly as if it was a secret on which our lives depend.

"Any expenses to which you may be put in carrying out my wishes I will
immediately repay. If you easily find the sort of house I want, there
is no need for your returning to London to fetch us. We can join you as
soon as we know where to go. The house must be perfectly respectable,
and must be reasonably near to Mr. Noel Vanstone's present residence,
wherever that is.

"You must allow me to be silent in this letter as to the object which I
have now in view. I am unwilling to risk an explanation in writing. When
all our preparations are made, you shall hear what I propose to do
from my own lips; and I shall expect you to tell me plainly, in return,
whether you will or will not give me the help I want on the best terms
which I am able to offer you.

"One word more before I seal up this letter.

"If any opportunity falls in your way after you have taken the house,
and before we join you, of exchanging a few civil words either with
Mr. Noel Vanstone or Mrs. Lecount, take advantage of it. It is very
important to my present object that we should become acquainted with
each other--as the purely accidental result of our being near neighbors.
I want you to smooth the way toward this end if you can, before Mrs.
Wragge and I come to you. Pray throw away no chance of observing Mrs.
Lecount, in particular, very carefully. Whatever help you can give me
at the outset in blindfolding that woman's sharp eyes will be the most
precious help I have ever received at your hands.

"There is no need to answer this letter immediately--unless I have
written it under a mistaken impression of what you have accomplished
since leaving London. I have taken our lodgings on for another week; and
I can wait to hear from you until you are able to send me such news as
I wish to receive. You may be quite sure of my patience for the future,
under all possible circumstances. My caprices are at an end, and my
violent temper has tried your forbearance for the last time.

"MAGDALEN."

XII.

_From Captain Wragge to Magdalen._

"North Shingles Villa, Aldborough, Suffolk, July 22d.

"MY DEAR GIRL--Your letter has charmed and touched me. Your excuses have
gone straight to my heart; and your confidence in my humble abilities
has followed in the sa me direction. The pulse of the old militia-man
throbs with pride as he thinks of the trust you have placed in him,
and vows to d