“Mr. Latrigg can examine the address if you wish.”

“Mr. Latrigg distinctly refuses to look at the letter.  Come, Charlotte, the air is cold and raw;” and with very scant courtesy they parted.

“What can it mean, Steve, Julius and Harry in correspondence?  I don’t know what to think of such a thing.  Harry has only written once to me since he went away.  There is something wrong in all this secrecy, you may depend upon it.”

“I would not be suspicious, Charlotte.  Harry is affectionate and trusting.  Julius has written him letters full of sympathy and friendship; and the poor fellow, cut off from home and kindred, has been only too glad to answer.  Perhaps we should have written also.”

“But why did Julius take that trouble?  Julius always has a motive for what he does.  I mean a selfish motive.  Has Harry written to you?”

“Only a few lines the very day he left.  I have heard nothing since.”

The circumstance troubled Charlotte far beyond its apparent importance.  She could conceive of no possible reason for Julius interfering in Harry’s life, and she had the feeling of a person facing a danger in the dark.  Julius was also annoyed at her discovery.  “It precipitates matters,” he said to Sophia, “and is apparently an unlucky chance.  But chance is destiny, and this last letter of Harry’s indicates that all things are very nearly ready for me.  As for your sister, Charlotte Sandal, I think she is the most interfering person I ever knew.”

The air of the supper-table was one of reserve and offence.  Only Sophia twittered and observed and wondered about all kinds of trivial things.  “Mother has so many headaches now.  Does she take proper care of herself, Charlotte?  She ought to take exercise.  Julius and I never neglect taking exercise.  We think it a duty.  No time do you say?  Mother ought to take time.  Poor, dear father was never unreasonable; he would wish mother to take time.  What tasteless custards, Charlotte!  I don’t think Ann cares how she cooks now.  When I was at home, and the eldest daughter, she always liked to have things nice.  Julius, my dear one, can you find any thing fit to eat?” And so on, and so on, until Charlotte felt as if she must scream, or throw a plate down, or fly beyond the sight and sound of all things human.

The next evening Julius announced his intention of going abroad at once.  “But I shall leave Sophia to be a little society for mother, and I shall not delay an hour beyond the time necessary for travel and business.”  He spoke with an air of conscious self-denial; and as Charlotte did not express any gratitude he continued, “Not that I expect any thanks, Sophia and I, but fortunately we find duty is its own reward.”

“Are you going to see Harry?”

“I may do such a thing.”

“Is he sick?”

“No.”

“I hope he will not get sick while you are there.”  And then some passionate impulse took possession of her; her face glowed like a flame, and her eyes scintillated like sparks.  “If any thing happens Harry while you are with him, I swear, by each separate Sandal that ever lived, that you shall account for it!”