does not?  Well, I shall not wish to make the thing out any worse than it is.  I always thought that letter weak as a command, but strong as a warning.  It would be, to say the least of it, a dutiful and filial action to respect that warning.  A warning not to perpetuate some wrong, for instance; but what wrong?  I saw a miniature of Daniel Mortimer the elder, smiling, handsome, and fair-haired.  It not only reminded me strongly of my step-father, but of the whole race, John, Valentine, John’s children, and all.  Therefore, I am sure there need be ’no scandal about Queen Elizabeth’ Mortimer, and its discovery on the part of her son.”

Meanwhile, Valentine, instead of driving straight back to Wigfield, stopped short at his sister Emily’s new house, intending to tell her simply of the death of little Peter Melcombe, and notice how she took it.  O that the letter had been left to him instead of to Giles!  How difficult it was, moreover, to believe that Giles had possessed it so long, and yet that its contents were dead to every one else that breathed!  If Giles had not shown him by his manner what he ought to do, he thought he might have felt better inclined to do it.  Certain it is that being now alone, he thought of his fathers desire with more respect.

Emily had been settled about a month in her new house, and Miss Christie Grant was with her.  There was a pretty drawing-room, with bow windows at the back of it.  Emily had put there her Indian cabinets, and many other beautiful things brought from the east, besides decorating it with delicate ferns, and bulbs in flower.  She was slightly inclined to be lavish so far as she could afford it; but her Scotch blood kept her just on the right side of prudence, and so gave more grace to her undoubted generosity.

This house, which had been chosen by Mrs. Henfrey, was less than a quarter of a mile from John Mortimer’s, and was approached by the same sandy lane.  In front, on the opposite side of this lane, the house was sheltered by a great cliff, crowned with fir trees, and enriched with wild plants and swallows’ caves; and behind, at the end of her garden ran the same wide brook which made a boundary for John Mortimer’s ground.

This circumstance was a great advantage to the little Mortimers, who with familiar friendship made themselves at once at home all over Mrs. Nemily’s premises, and forthwith set little boats and ships afloat on the brook in the happy certainty that sooner or later they would come down to their rightful owners.

Valentine entered the drawing-room, and a glance as he stooped to kiss his sister served to assure him that she knew nothing of the great news.

She put her two hands upon his shoulders, and her sweet eyes looked into his.  A slightly shamefaced expression struck her.  “Does the dear boy think he is in love again?” she thought; “who is it, I wonder?” The look became almost sheepish; and she, rather surprised, said to him, “Well, Val, you see the house is ready.”