h. I don't know
what I shall do now; but I shan't go to Perim.

"Mrs. Jones says you will soon be in town. I hope I may be allowed
to call.

"Believe me always,

"Most sincerely yours,

"JOHN DE BARON."

Both those letters gave her pleasure, and both she answered. To all
Mrs. Jones' enquiries she gave very full replies, and enjoyed her jokes
with her old friend. She hinted that she did not at all intend to hurry
the men at St. James' Square, and that certainly she would be found in
Munster Court till the men had completed their work. As to what their
young friend would do with his money she could say nothing. She could
not undertake the commission,--though perhaps that might be best,--and
so on. Her note to Jack was very short. She thanked him heartily for
his good wishes, and told him the day on which she would be in Munster
Court. Then in a postscript she said that she was "_very, very glad_"
that he had inherited the late lord's money.

The other letter offended her as much as those two had pleased her. It
offended her so much that when she saw the handwriting she would not
have read it but that curiosity forbade her to put it on one side. It
was from Adelaide Houghton, and as she opened it there was a sparkle of
anger in her eyes which perhaps none of her friends had ever seen
there. This letter was as follows;--

"DEAR LADY BROTHERTON,--Will you not at length allow bygones to be
bygones? What can a poor woman do more than beg pardon and promise
never to be naughty again. Is it worth while that we who have
known each other so long should quarrel about what really amounted
to nothing? It was but a little foolish romance, the echo of a
past feeling,--a folly if you will, but innocent. I own my fault
and put on the sackcloth and ashes of confession, and, after that,
surely you will give me absolution.

"And now, having made my apology, which I trust will be accepted,
pray let me congratulate you on all your happiness. The death of
your poor brother-in-law of course we have all expected. Mr.
Houghton had heard a month before that it was impossible that he
should live. Of course, we all feel that the property has fallen
into much better hands. And I am so glad that you have a boy. Dear
little Popenjoy! Do, do forgive me, so that I may have an
opportunity of kissing him. I am, at any rate,

"Your