she read Colonel
Osborne's letter from first to last. She knew that he was wrong to
speak of coming to Nuncombe Putney; but yet she thought that she
would see him. She had a dim perception that she was standing on the
edge of a precipice, on broken ground which might fall under her
without a moment's warning, and yet she would not retreat from the
danger. Though Colonel Osborne was wrong, very wrong in coming to see
her, yet she liked him for coming. Though she would be half afraid
to tell her news to Mrs. Stanbury, and more than half afraid to tell
Priscilla, yet she liked the excitement of the fear. Nora would scold
her; but Nora's scolding she thought she could answer. And then it
was not the fact that Colonel Osborne was coming down to Devonshire
to see her. He was coming as far as Lessboro' to see his friend at
Cockchaffington. And when at Lessboro', was it likely that he should
leave the neighbourhood without seeing the daughter of his old ally?
And why should he do so? Was he to be unnatural in his conduct,
uncivil and unfriendly, because Mr. Trevelyan had been foolish,
suspicious, and insane?

So arguing with herself, she answered Colonel Osborne's letter before
she had spoken on the subject to any one in the house,--and this was
her answer:--

MY DEAR COLONEL OSBORNE,

I must leave it to your own judgment to decide whether you
will come to Nuncombe Putney or not. There are reasons
which would seem to make it expedient that you should stay
away,--even though circumstances are bringing you into
the immediate neighbourhood. But of these reasons I will
leave you to be the judge. I will never let it be said
that I myself have had cause to dread the visit of any old
friend. Nevertheless, if you stay away, I shall understand
why you do so.

Personally, I shall be glad to see you,--as I have always
been. It seems odd to me that I cannot write in warmer
tones to my father's and mother's oldest friend. Of
course, you will understand that though I shall readily
see you if you call, I cannot ask you to stay. In the
first place, I am not now living in my own house. I am
staying with Mrs. Stanbury, and the place is called the
Clock House.

Yours very sincerely,

EMILY TREVELYAN.

The Clock House, Nuncombe Putney, Monday.

Soon after she had written it, Nora came into her room, and at once
asked concerning the letter which she had seen delivered