’"You have mentioned Captain Hamilton’s name,” I returned coldly, for her words seemed only to aggravate and widen the sore.  “Perhaps you will kindly explain what he has to do with the matter?”

’She hesitated, and looked at me in a pleading manner.  I saw that she did not wish to speak; but for once I was inexorable.

’"I must rely upon your honour, then, not to repeat my words either to Giles or Gladys.  Your doing so would bring Gladys into trouble; and, after all, there is nothing definitely settled.”  I nodded assent to this, and she went on rather reluctantly: 

“Claude was always fond of Gladys, but we never knew how much he admired her until he went away.  They are only half-cousins.  Gladys’s father was step-brother to Claude’s.  Giles has always been averse to cousins marrying, but we thought this would make a difference.”

’"They are engaged, then?” I asked, in a loud voice, that seemed to startle Miss Darrell.

’"Oh no, no,” she returned eagerly; “there is no engagement at all.  Claude writes to her, and she answers him, and I think he is making way with her:  she has owned as much to me.  Gladys is not one to talk of her feelings, especially on this subject; but it is easy to see how absorbed she is in those Indian letters; she is always brighter and more like herself when she has heard from Claude.”

’"I am to deduce from all this that you believe Captain Hamilton has a better chance of winning her affections than I?”

’Again she hesitated, then drew a foreign letter slowly from her pocket.  “I think I must read you a sentence from his last letter:  he often writes to me as well as to Gladys.  Yes, here it is:  ’Your last letter has been a great comfort to me, my dear Etta:  it was more than a poor fellow had a right to expect.  I do believe that this long absence has served my purpose, and the scratch I got at Singapore.  Girls are curious creatures; one never can tell how to tackle them, and my special cousin knows how to keep one at a distance, but I begin to feel I am making way at last.  She wrote to me very sweetly last mail.  I carry that letter everywhere; there was a sweetness about it that gave me hope.  If I can get leave,—­though heaven knows when that will be,—­I mean to come home and carry the breach boldly.  I shall first show her my wound and my medal, and then throw myself at her pretty little feet.  Gladys—­’ No, I must not read any more; you see how it is, Mr. Cunliffe?”

’"Yes, I see how it is,” I returned slowly.  “Forgive me if I have been impatient or unmindful of your kindness.”  And then I took up my hat and left the room, and it was weeks before I set foot in Gladwyn again.’

‘Oh, Max! my poor Max!’ I returned, stroking his hand softly.  He did not take it away:  he only looked at me with his kind smile.

’That was Emmie’s way,—­her favourite little caress.  Wait a moment, Ursula, my dear; I am going out for a breath of air,’ And he stood in the porch for a few minutes, looking up at the winter sky seamed with stars, and then came back to me quietly, and waited for me to speak.