With unwonted energy Coventry was astir seven next morning. Lucia gave

him his breakfast, and as he left the room to order the carriage, Miss

Muir came gliding downstairs, very pale and heavy-eyed (with a

sleepless, tearful night, he thought) and, putting a delicate little

letter into his hand, said hurriedly, "Please leave this at Lady

Sydney's, and if you see her, say 'I have remembered.'"

Her peculiar manner and peculiar message struck him. His eye

involuntarily glanced at the address of the letter and read young

Sydney's name. Then, conscious of his mistake, he thrust it into his

pocket with a hasty "Good morning," and left Miss Muir standing with

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one hand pressed on her heart, the other half extended as if to recall

the letter.

All the way to London, Coventry found it impossible to forget the

almost tragical expression of the girl's face, and it haunted him

through the bustle of two busy days. Ned's affair was put in the way of

being speedily accomplished, Bella's commissions were executed, his

mother's pet delicacies provided for her, and a gift for Lucia, whom

the family had given him for his future mate, as he was too lazy to

choose for himself.

Jean Muir's letter he had not delivered, for Lady Sydney was in the

country and her townhouse closed. Curious to see how she would receive

his tidings, he went quietly in on his arrival at home. Everyone had

dispersed to dress for dinner except Miss Muir, who was in the garden,

the servant said.

"Very well, I have a message for her"; and, turning, the "young master,"

as they called him, went to seek her. In a remote corner he saw her

sitting alone, buried in thought. As his step roused her, a look of

surprise, followed by one of satisfaction, passed over her face, and,

rising, she beckoned to him with an almost eager gesture. Much amazed,

he went to her and offered the letter, saying kindly, "I regret that I

could not deliver it. Lady Sydney is in the country, and I did not like

to post it without your leave. Did I do right?"

"Quite right, thank you very much--it is better so." And with an air of

relief, she tore the letter to atoms, and scattered them to the wind.

More amazed than ever, the young man was about to leave her when she

said, with a mixture of entreaty and command, "Please stay a moment. I

want to speak to you."

He paused, eyeing her with visible surprise, for a sudden color dyed her

cheeks, and her lips trembled. Only for a moment, then she was quite

self-possessed again. Motioning him to the seat she had left, she

remained standing while she said, in a low, rapid tone full of pain and

of decision: "Mr. Coventry, as the head of the house I want to speak to you, rather

than to your mother, of a most unhappy affair which has occurred during

your absence. My month of probation ends today; your mother wishes me to

remain; I, too, wish it sincerely, for I am happy here, but I ought not.

Read this, and you will see why."




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