al reservation that it did not amount to
what he had been defrauded of by Mr Pennycuick (she had made a mistake
in the designation of her gift); but the slight coolness of his
acknowledgement quickly gave place to grateful fervour as he realised
what the immediate five hundred pounds would do for him, and read in
her words an implication that the sum was but an instalment of what she
felt to be his due. He was incoherent in his thanks and benedictions as
he slipped the cheque into his pocket.

"And you will let me have Mary at Redford?"

"Oh, yes! She will not want to go, but I shall make her."

"And do not tell her more than you can help about this little private
transaction. She might feel--"

"I will tell her nothing that is likely to vex her."

"Do not--PRAY do not. Only take these sordid worries off her shoulders,
and give her what she needs, and don't let her toil and moil. Remember,
it is for her I do it." There was a little sting in that last remark,
but he was too happy to feel it.

CHAPTER XXII.

Now, what to do for Rose.

Rose had written warm congratulations to her sister, without mentioning
any desire for a personal interview. Ever since her marriage, she had
refrained from giving invitations to her family, leaving the initiative
in social matters to them--a mark of consideration and good taste on
her part which they had quite approved of; and intercourse had been
limited to afternoon calls, more or less affectionate and informal, but
stopping short at meals in common under the roof of either party. Now,
however, Deb craved for a fuller sympathy with the sweetest-tempered
and kindest-hearted of her sisters, and now it seemed so perfectly easy
to go to her house in pursuit of it. She despatched an impulsive note:

"DEAREST,--I want a quiet talk with you about all that has happened.
May I come to lunch tomorrow, so as to make a long afternoon of it? If
not convenient, fix a day to lunch with me; but I am not so tied as you
are, and besides, I should like to have Peter's advice on one or two
little matters of business, if it would not bother him--of course,
after he comes from town. Don't keep him at home on purpose."

To which Rose replied by telegram:

"Shall expect you early tomorrow for a long day. Peter delighted to
place himself at your disposal."

So Deb set off next morning, full of benevolent intentions, to gather
poor humdrum Rose and her (in his way) truly worthy husband into t