obstacles in her way
have proved to be insurmountable--the obstacles have conquered her.'
This, if you remember, was what I really believed would happen when you
and I spoke of that painful topic; and I have heard nothing from you
since which has tended to shake my opinion in the smallest degree. If
I am right (as I pray God I may be) in the view that I take, you h ave
only to confirm me in your reply, and all will be well. In the other
event--that is to say, if you are still determined to persevere in
your hopeless project--then make up your mind to face the result. Set
Eustace's prejudices at defiance in this particular, and you lose your
hold on his gratitude, his penitence, and his love--you will, in my
belief, never see him again.

"I express myself strongly, in your own interests, my dear, and for your
own sake. When you reply, write a few lines to Eustace, inclosed in your
letter to me.

"As for the date of our departure, it is still impossible for me to give
you any definite information. Eustace recovers very slowly; the doctor
has not yet allowed him to leave his bed; and when we do travel we must
journey by easy stages. It will be at least six weeks, at the earliest,
before we can hope to be back again in dear Old England.

"Affectionately yours,

"CATHERINE MACALLAN."

I laid down the letter, and did my best (vainly enough for some time)
to compose my spirits. To understand the position in which I now found
myself, it is only necessary to remember one circumstance: the messenger
to whom we had committed our inquiries was at that moment crossing the
Atlantic on his way to New York.

What was to be done?

I hesitated. Shocking as it may seem to some people, I hesitated. There
was really no need to hurry my decision. I had the whole day before me.

I went out and took a wretched, lonely walk, and turned the matter over
in my mind. I came home again, and turned the matter over once more by
the fireside. To offend and repel my darling when he was returning to
me, penitently returning of his own free will, was what no woman in my
position, and feeling as I did, could under any earthly circumstances
have brought herself to do. And yet, on the other hand, how in Heaven's
name could I give up my grand enterprise at the very time when even wise
and prudent Mr. Playmore saw such a prospect of succeeding in it that
he had actually volunteered to help me