and they were being driven to a foreign land, a deadly foreign land, because Charlotte and Stephen had raised against them a social hatred they had not the heart to conquer.  If they defended themselves, they must accuse those of their own blood and house, and they were not mean enough to do such a thing as that.  Oh, no!  Sophia Sandal had always done her duty, and always would do it forever.”  And broad statements are such confusing, confounding things, that for one miserable hour the mother and sister felt as mean and remorseful as Sophia and Julius could desire.  Then the rector read the letter aloud, and dived down into its depths as if it was a knotty text, and showed the two simple women on what false conditions all of its accusations rested.

At the same time Julius wrote a letter also.  It was to Harry Sandal,—­a very short letter, but destined to cause nearly six years of lonely, wretched wandering and anxious sorrow.

     DEAR HARRY,—­There is great trouble about that ten thousand pounds. 
     It seems you had no right to sell.  “Money on false pretences,” I
     think they call it.  I should go West, far West, if I were you.

     Your friend,

     JULIUS SANDAL.

He read it to Sophia, and she said, “What folly!  Let Harry return home.  You have heard that he comes into the Latrigg money.  Very well, let him come home, and then you can make him pay you back.  Harry is very honorable.”

“There is not the slightest chance of Harry paying me back.  If he had a million, he wouldn’t pay me back.  Harry spoke me fair, but I caught one look which let me see into his soul.  He hated me for buying his right.  With my money in his hand, he hated me.  He would toss his hat to the stars if he heard how far I have been over-reached.  Next to Charlotte Sandal, I hate Harry Sandal; and I am going to send him a road that he is not likely to return.  I don’t intend Stephen and Harry to sit together, and chuckle over me.  Besides, your mother and Charlotte are surely calculating upon having ‘dear Harry’ and ‘poor Harry’ at home again very soon.  I have no doubt Charlotte is planning about that Emily Beverley already.  For Harry is to have Latrigg Hall when it is finished, I hear.”

“Really?  Is that so?  Are you sure?”

“Harry is to have the new hall, and all of old Latrigg’s gold and property.”

“Julius, would it not be better to try and get around Harry?  We could stay with him.  I cannot endure Calcutta, and I always did like Harry.”

“And I always detested him.  And he always detested me.  No, my sweet Sophia, there is really nothing for us but a decent lodging-house on the shady side of the Chowringhee Road.  My father can give me a post in ‘The Company,’ and I must get as many of its rupees as I can manage.  Go through the old rooms, and bid them farewell, my soul.  We shall not come back to Seat-Sandal again in this chapter of our eternity.”  And with a mocking laugh he turned away to make his own preparations.