So he sat and breathed audibly through his nose, and meditated rebellion.

* * * * *

“And is the lad to come here for Easter?” he asked at last.

“I suppose so.”

“And for how long?”

“So long as the maid appoints.”

He breathed louder than ever.

“And, Mr. Manners,” continued his wife emphatically, “no word must be said to him on the matter.  The maid is very plain as to that....  Oh! we must let her have her way.”

“Where is she gone?”

She nodded with her head to the window.  He went to it and looked out.

* * * * *

It was the little walled garden on which he looked, in which, if he had but known it, the lad whom he liked had kissed the maid whom he loved; and there walked the maid, at this moment with her back to him, going up the central path that was bordered with box.  The February sun shone on her as she went, on her hooded head, her dark cloak and her blue dress beneath.  He watched her go up, and drew back a little as she turned, so that she might not see him watching; and as she came down again he saw that she held a string of beads in her fingers and was making her devotions.  She was a good girl....  That, at least, was a satisfaction.

Then he turned from the window again.

“Well?” said his wife.

“I suppose it must be as she says.”

III

It was an hour before sunset when Marjorie came out again into the walled garden that had become for her now a kind of sanctuary, and in her hand she carried a letter, sealed and inscribed.  On the outside the following words were written: 

“To Mr. Robin Audrey.  At Matstead.

“Haste, haste, haste.”

Within, the sheet was covered from top to bottom with the neat convent-hand she had learnt from the nuns.  The most of it does not concern us.  It began with such words as you would expect from a maid to her lover; it continued to inform him that her parents were willing, and, indeed, desirous, that he should come to them for Easter, and that her father would write a formal letter later to invite him; it was to be written from Derby, (this conspirator informed the other), that it might cause less comment when Mr. Audrey saw it, and was to be expressed in terms that would satisfy him.  Finally, it closed as it had begun, and was subscribed by his “loving friend, M. M.”  One paragraph, however, is worth attention.

“I have told my father and mother, that we love one another, my Robin; and that you have asked me to marry you, and that I have consented should you wish to do so when the time comes.  They have consented most willingly; and so Jesu have you in His keeping, and guide your mind aright.”