take back that notice," Slotman said to her the next
morning. "You won't find it so precious easy to find a job, my girl;
and, after all, what have I done?"

"Annoyed me, insulted me ever since I came here," she said quietly. "And
of course I shall not stay!"

"Insulted you! Is it an insult to ask you to be my wife?"

"It seems so to me," she said quietly. "If you had meant that--at
first--it would have been different; now it is only an insult!"

Three days passed, and there came answers. She had been right, Mrs.
Ransome was dead, and there was no one who could do anything for Miss
Meredyth.

General Bartholomew was at Harrogate, and her letter had been sent on to
him there, wrote a polite secretary. And then there came a letter that
warmed the girl's heart and brought back all her belief and faith in
human nature.

"MY DEAREST CHILD,

"Your letter came as a welcome surprise--to think that you are
looking for employment! Well, we must see to this--I promise you,
you will not have far to look. Come here to me at once, and be
sure that everything will be put right and all misunderstandings
wiped out. I am keeping your letter a secret from everyone, even
from Marjorie, that your coming shall be the more unexpected, and
the greater surprise and pleasure. But come without delay, and
believe me to be,

"Your very affectionate friend,
"HARRIET LINDEN."

"P.S.--I suggest that you wire me the day and the train, so that I
can meet you. Don't lose any time, and be sure that all past
unhappiness can be ended, and the future faced with the certainty
of brighter and happier days."

Over this letter Joan Meredyth pondered a great deal. It was a
warm-hearted and affectionate response to her somewhat stilted little
appeal. Yet what did the old lady mean, to what did the veiled reference
apply?

"So you mean going, then?" Slotman asked.

"I told you I would go, and I shall. I leave to-morrow."

"You'll be glad to come back," he said. He looked at her, and there was
eagerness in his eyes. "Joan, don't be a fool, stay. I could give you a
good time, and--"

But she had turned her back on him.

She had written to Lady Linden thanking her for her kindly letter.

"I shall come to you on Saturday for the week-end, if I may. I
find there is a train at a quarter-past three. I shall come by
that to Cornbridge Station.

"Believe me,