hich began 'Dear Mrs Reardon,' and ended 'Very
sincerely yours,' the communication itself being as follows:

'I venture to send you the proofs of a paper which is to appear in next
month's Wayside, in the hope that it may seem to you not badly done, and
that the reading of it may give you pleasure. If anything occurs to you
which you would like me to add, or if you desire any omission, will you
do me the kindness to let me know of it as soon as possible, and your
suggestion shall at once be adopted. I am informed that the new edition
of "On Neutral Ground" and "Hubert Reed" will be ready next month. Need
I say how glad I am that my friend's work is not to be forgotten?'

This note he also put into the envelope, which he made ready for
posting. Then he sat for a long time in profound thought.

Shortly after eleven his door opened, and Maud came in. She had been
dining at Mrs Lane's. Her attire was still simple, but of quality which
would have signified recklessness, but for the outlook whereof Jasper
spoke to Whelpdale. The girl looked very beautiful. There was a flush of
health and happiness on her cheek, and when she spoke it was in a voice
that rang quite differently from her tones of a year ago; the pride
which was natural to her had now a firm support; she moved and uttered
herself in queenly fashion.

'Has anyone been?' she asked.

'Whelpdale.'

'Oh! I wanted to ask you, Jasper: do you think it wise to let him come
quite so often?'

'There's a difficulty, you see. I can hardly tell him to sheer off. And
he's really a decent fellow.'

'That may be. But--I think it's rather unwise. Things are changed. In a
few months, Dora will be a good deal at my house, and will see all sorts
of people.'

'Yes; but what if they are the kind of people she doesn't care anything
about? You must remember, old girl, that her tastes are quite different
from yours. I say nothing, but--perhaps it's as well they should be.'

'You say nothing, but you add an insult,' returned Maud, with a smile of
superb disregard. 'We won't reopen the question.'

'Oh dear no! And, by-the-by, I have a letter from Dolomore. It came just
after you left.'

'Well?'

'He is quite willing to settle upon you a third of his income from
the collieries; he tells me it will represent between seven and eight
hundred a year. I think it rather little, you know; but I congratulate
myself on having got this out of him.'

'Don't speak in that unpleasant way