ving been pushed a quarter of an inch further in; and all this he
had marked so accurately that he could not but know whether any hand
had been at the shelf. He did not go near to the shelf, but could see
the variation as he stood at the table. His eye had become minutely
exact as to the book and its position. Then he resolved that he would
not look at the book again, would not turn a glance on it unless it
might be when he had made up his mind to reveal its contents. His
neck became absolutely stiff with the efforts necessary not to look
at the book.

That night he wrote a letter to his cousin, which was as follows:--

MY DEAR ISABEL,

I have been into Carmarthen to-day, and I have signed
a document in the presence of Mr Apjohn, by which four
thousand pounds is made over to you as a charge upon the
property. He stated that you had what might be called a
right to that money, and I perfectly agreed with him. I
have never doubted about the money since my uncle's will
was read. The agent who receives the rents will remit to
you one hundred pounds half yearly for the next two years.
By that time I shall have been able to raise the money,
and you shall then be paid in full.

I don't want you to take this as any favour from me. I
quite understood what you said to me. I think that it was
undeserved, and, after all that I have suffered in this
matter, cruel on your part. It was not my fault that my
uncle changed his mind backwards and forwards. I never
asked him for the estate. I came to Llanfeare only because
he bade me. I have taken possession of the property only
when told to do so by Mr Apjohn. If I could not make
myself pleasant to you, it was not my fault. I think you
ought to be ashamed of what you said to me,--so soon after
the old man's death!

But all that has nothing to do with the money, which, of
course, you must take. As for myself, I do not think I
shall continue to live here. My uncle has made the place
a nest of hornets for me, and all through no fault of my
own. Should you like to come and live here as owner, you
are welcome to do so on paying me a certain sum out of the
rents. I am quite in earnest, and you had better think of
it.

Yours truly,

HENRY JONES.

His resolution as to the first portion of the above letter was taken
as he returned in the carriage from Carmarthen; but it was not until
t