I posted an anonymous letter from the next village to Copsley written in an illiterate scrawl. It informed him of Janet’s stolen meetings, and hinted the worst. Chapter X I had by this time informed Mr. Gascoyne of my acquaintance with his nephew and niece. At first he looked hurt. “They are very heartless, I am afraid, Israel, very heartless; when my poor boy died neither of them wrote a line.” “I am afraid, sir, that young Gascoyne has not much depth, but his sister seems to me a fine character.” “What is she like?” “Beautiful.” Perhaps something in my voice betrayed what I felt, for he looked at me keenly. “She is a little cold. Difficult, I should say, to rouse to enthusiasm, and she appears to have a will of iron.” “She hardly sounds alluring.” “She has charm.” “Ah! Then everything else falls into line. I should like to see them, but I can hardly make the advances. You see, my poor brother chose to quarrel with me for two reasons; first, because I went on the Stock Exchange; secondly, because my wife’s father happened to have made his money in trade. It was all very foolish, but year after year reconciliation grew more difficult, and what had been a breach which I thought could easily be bridged any moment widened imperceptibly, until it was impossible to make advances. If Miss Gascoyne would write to my wife the thing would be done.” Inwardly I thought it would have been just as easy for Mrs. Gascoyne to write to her. “What is Harry like? His father was good-looking.” “He is handsome enough.” “Fair?” “Very.” “So was his father. Dear me, it seems only the other day that we were boys together. It is all very sad, very sad indeed. It is incredible that people should drift apart so.” “I’ve never had anyone to drift apart from.” “You have your friends. There is young Hallward. He seems to be very devoted to you, and, do you know, I have sometimes wondered whether you appreciate his devotion.” “Oh, I’m very fond of Grahame.” “We must see if something can’t be done to bring my nephew and niece and my wife together. You say you are going down there this week?” “I thought of doing so.” “Then you might spy out the land and see how my niece would be likely to receive advances.” “I think Miss Gascoyne would welcome them,” I said, with simulated warmth. I now felt not the least hesitation in praising the young Gascoynes. I had complete confidence in my position with their uncle. He was not the sort of man to commit an injustice, and what he had made up his mind to do for me he would do; perhaps more, certainly not less.