im that they had all been told; and so told as to be leagued in
enmity against him. What account their mother may have given to them
of their future poverty, he knew not; but he felt certain that she
had explained to them how cruelly he meant to turn them out on the
wide world; unnatural ogre that he was.

Mary was his favourite, and to her he did say a few words. "Mamma has
told you what I have done, hasn't she?"

"Yes, Arthur," said Mary, demurely.

"And what do you think about it?"

"Think about it!"

"Yes. Do you think she'll accept me?"

"Oh! she'll accept you. I don't doubt about that." How cheap girls do
make themselves when talking of each other!

"And will it not be an excellent thing for me?" said he.

"But about the house, Arthur!" And Mary looked very glum. So he said
nothing further to any of them.

On the day after this he got his answer; and now we will give the two
letters. Arthur's was not written without much trouble and various
copies; but Adela's had come straight from her heart at once.

Hurst Staple, April, 184--.

My dear Adela,

You will be surprised to receive a letter from me, and
more so, I am sure, when you read its contents. You have
heard, I know, from Mary, of my return home. Thank God,
I am quite strong again. I enjoyed my trip very much. I
had feared that it would be very dull before I knew that
George Bertram would go with me.

I wonder whether you recollect the day when I drove you to
Ripley Station! It is eighteen months ago now, I believe;
and indeed the time seems much longer. I had thought then
to have said to you what I have to say now; but I did not.
Years ago I thought to do the same, and then also I did
not. You will know what I mean. I did not like to ask you
to share such poverty, such a troubled house as mine will
be.

But I have loved you, Adela, for years and years. Do you
remember how you used to comfort me at that grievous time,
when I disappointed them all so much about my degree? I
remember it so well. It used to lie on my tongue then to
tell you that I loved you; but that would have been folly.
Then came my poor father's death, and the living which I
had to take under such circumstances. I made up my mind
then that it was my duty to live single. I think I told
you, though I am sure you forget that.

I am not richer now, but I am older. I seem to care less
about po