ciousness of
possessing what to her seemed wealth, or something else had happened
of the nature that he dreaded. An alarming symptom was the increased
attention she paid to her personal appearance; its indications were
not at all prominent, but Yule, on the watch for such things, did not
overlook them. True, this also might mean nothing but a sense of relief
from narrow means; a girl would naturally adorn herself a little under
the circumstances.

His doubts came to an end two days after that proposal of a title for
the new review. As he sat in his study the servant brought him a letter
delivered by the last evening post. The handwriting was unknown to him;
the contents were these:

'DEAR MR YULE,--It is my desire to write to you with perfect frankness
and as simply as I can on a subject which has the deepest interest for
me, and which I trust you will consider in that spirit of kindness with
which you received me when we first met at Finden.

'On the occasion of that meeting I had the happiness of being presented
to Miss Yule. She was not totally a stranger to me; at that time I used
to work pretty regularly in the Museum Reading-room, and there I had
seen Miss Yule, had ventured to observe her at moments with a young
man's attention, and had felt my interest aroused, though I did not
know her name. To find her at Finden seemed to me a very unusual and
delightful piece of good fortune.

When I came back from my holiday I was conscious of a new purpose in
life, a new desire and a new motive to help me on in my chosen career.

'My mother's death led to my sisters' coming to live in London. Already
there had been friendly correspondence between Miss Yule and the two
girls, and now that the opportunity offered they began to see each other
frequently. As I was often at my sisters' lodgings it came about that
I met Miss Yule there from time to time. In this way was confirmed my
attachment to your daughter. The better I knew her, the more worthy I
found her of reverence and love.

'Would it not have been natural for me to seek a renewal of the
acquaintance with yourself which had been begun in the country? Gladly I
should have done so. Before my sisters' coming to London I did call one
day at your house with the desire of seeing you, but unfortunately you
were not at home. Very soon after that I learnt to my extreme regret
that my connection with The Current and its editor would make any
repetition of my visit very dis