“I left off at ‘martial.’”

I went to the office, very unlike the Squire’s, and pulled White off his stool before he knew I was there.  He told me I had just come in the nick of time, for he wants to go to some forsaken watering place down the Gulf—­as Madame Lajeunesse said “Law baw”—­and that immediately.  So, I get my two weeks next month, by which time I hope to have got that next of kin matter straightened out.  Then, if I’m let, I’ll go up and have my golf with Mr. Errol on his links.  How are his links matrimonial progressing, and Perrowne’s, not to mention those of Ben Toner, Timotheus, yourself, and other minor personages?  Will you commission me to buy the ring?—­

“Really, dear, I think I must stop.”

“Please do not, dear; there is not much more, is there?”

“Not much, but it is so personal!”

The York Pioneers are having an exhibition of antiques; couldn’t you get somebody to send down our two knapsacks, it seems such an age since we started them?  Ask Miss Du Plessis and Miss Carmichael what they meant giggling at them at the Brock Street station and on the train that Tuesday morning.—­

“Farquhar, did he, did you think it was Marjorie and I who did that, what he calls giggling?”

“I certainly never thought you did, and I think it is only his banter.”

“Neither Marjorie nor I could have so disgraced ourselves.  Did you not see the school-girls behind us?  I was ashamed of my sex.”

“When you write Corry for me, you must give him a talking to for that.”

“Very well; where was I, oh, yes, ‘Tuesday morning.’”

I send a few lines by post.  If there is anything in the world I can do for you, Wilks, let me know.  If my presence can help you at all, I’ll run up at a moment’s warning.  Love to all at Bridesdale.  Sorry I made an ass of myself running away.  Mail closes and must stop.

Your affectionate friend,
EUGENE CORISTINE.

P.S.—­Tell Errol to keep that pipe as a memorial of a poor deluded wretch who had hoped one day to call him by the paternal name.  Fancy having the good minister for a step father-in-law!  No such luck, as Toner would say.  Adieu E.C.

“Is she fond of him, Cecile?”

“Yes, very much so.”

“Is it not a pity, when they think so much of one another, that a mere trifle should keep them apart, perhaps for ever?”

“Yes it is, but I am not sorry for Marjorie.  Kind heart and all, she ought to have had more sense and more forbearance than to have openly preferred that selfish creature, Mr. Lamb, to your warm-hearted friend.”

“Corry is the soul of honour and generosity, Cecile, in spite of his hideous taste in language.”

“That is a mere eccentricity, and does not affect his sterling qualities.  I shall make it my duty to speak to Marjorie again.  Good night, Farquhar dear!”