’"Dear Mrs. Bentley,—­Immediately I arrived in London, I set to work to find out Mr. Price’s address.  It was the easiest matter in the world, for he has a play now running at one of the theatres.  So I directed my letter to the theatre, and next morning I had a visit from him.  After explaining to him the resources of the brilliant fortune he had come into, I told him of his uncle’s intention to add a codicil to his will, leaving Miss Watson three hundred a year; I told him that this last will had left her entirely unprovided for.  He said, at once, that he fully agreed with me, and that he would consider what was the most honourable course for him to take in regard to his ’cousin.  This is exactly what he said, but his manner was such that before leaving he left no doubt in my mind whatever that he will act very generously indeed.  I should not be surprised if he settled even more than the proposed three hundred a year on Miss Watson.  He is a very quiet, thoughtful young man of about two or three and thirty.  He looks poor, and I fancy he has lived through very hard times.  He wears an air of sadness and disappointment which makes him attractive, and his manners are gentle and refined.  I tell you these things, for I know they will interest you.  I have not been able to find out if he is married, but I am sorry to say that his play has not succeeded.  I should have found out more, but he was not in my office above ten minutes; he had to hurry away to keep an appointment at the theatre, for, as he explained, it was to be decided that very day if the play was to be taken out of the bills at the end of the week.  He promised to call again, and our interview is fixed for eleven o’clock the day after to-morrow.  In the meantime take heart, for I think I am justified in telling you I feel quite sanguine as to the result."’

‘Well,’ said Julia, laying down the letter, ’I don’t think that anything could be more satisfactory, and just fancy dear old Mr. Grandly being able to describe a young man as well as that.’

‘He doesn’t say if he is short or tall, or dark or fair.’

’No, he doesn’t.  I think he might have told us something about his personal appearance, but it is a great relief to hear that he is not the vulgar Bohemian we have always understood him to be.  Mr. Grandly says his manners are refined; you might take a fancy to him after all.’

’But you don’t know that he isn’t married.  I suppose Mr. Grandly wasn’t able to find that out.  I should like to know—­but not because I want to marry him or any one else; only I don’t like the idea of a great, vulgar woman, and a pack of children scampering about the place when we go.’

‘Do you dislike children so much, then, Emily?’

’I don’t know that I ever thought about them; but I’m sure I shouldn’t like his children.  I dreamt of him last night.  Do you believe in dreams?’

‘What did you dream?’

’I cannot remember, but I woke up crying, feeling more unhappy than I ever felt in my life before.  It is curious that I should dream of him last night, and that you should receive that letter this morning, isn’t it?’