ith
hand extended and a countenance of suave friendliness.

'I doubted whether you would see me if I let you know,' she said.
'Forgive me this little bit of scheming, will you? I have something so
very important to speak to you about.'

He said nothing, but kept a demeanour of courtesy.

'I think you haven't heard from Amy?' Mrs Yule asked.

'Not since I saw her.'

'And you don't know what has come to pass?'

'I have heard of nothing.'

'I am come to see you quite on my own responsibility, quite. I took Mr
Carter into my confidence, but begged him not to let Mrs Carter know,
lest she should tell Amy; I think he will keep his promise. It seemed to
me that it was really my duty to do whatever I could in these sad, sad
circumstances.'

Reardon listened respectfully, but without sign of feeling.

'I had better tell you at once that Amy's uncle at Wattleborough is
dead, and that in his will he has bequeathed her ten thousand pounds.'

Mrs Yule watched the effect of this. For a moment none was visible,
but she saw at length that Reardon's lips trembled and his eyebrows
twitched.

'I am glad to hear of her good fortune,' he said distantly and in even
tones.

'You will feel, I am sure,' continued his mother-in-law, 'that this must
put an end to your most unhappy differences.'

'How can it have that result?'

'It puts you both in a very different position, does it not? But for
your distressing circumstances, I am sure there would never have been
such unpleasantness--never. Neither you nor Amy is the kind of person to
take a pleasure in disagreement. Let me beg you to go and see her again.
Everything is so different now. Amy has not the faintest idea that I
have come to see you, and she mustn't on any account be told, for her
worst fault is that sensitive pride of hers. And I'm sure you won't
be offended, Edwin, if I say that you have very much the same failing.
Between two such sensitive people differences might last a lifetime,
unless one could be persuaded to take the first step. Do be generous!
A woman is privileged to be a little obstinate, it is always said.
Overlook the fault, and persuade her to let bygones be bygones.'

There was an involuntary affectedness in Mrs Yule's speech which
repelled Reardon. He could not even put faith in her assurance that
Amy knew nothing of this intercession. In any case it was extremely
distasteful to him to discuss such matters with Mrs Yule.

'Under no circumstances c