“I understand, also, that your father has assigned you a very liberal income. Consequently, my dear, you are in all things as independent as a little queen in her palace. Consider also, dear Margaret, that it is a great accession of happiness to us all to have you here, and we should wish to have as much of your company as possible. Therefore, when you are inclined to society, come among us; at all other times, you can retire to this, your castle. And at all times and seasons our house and servants are at your orders, Margaret; for you know that as the bride of our eldest son and heir, you are in some sort our Princess of Wales,” she concluded, playfully. “I thank you, dear Mrs. Houston,” again said the young girl. Her thoughts were too gravely preoccupied to give much attention to the prattle of the lady. “And by the way, Margaret, where is your letter, my dear? I shall dispatch Lemuel early in the morning.” “You are very considerate, Mrs. Houston, but I do not purpose to send it by Lemuel.” “As you please, my dear. Good-night,” she said, kissing the maiden with sincere affection, notwithstanding that, as she left the room, her baffled curiosity induced her to murmur: “There is some ill mystery, that I am constrained to discover, connected with that letter.” Miss Helmstedt, left to herself, directed Hildreth to secure the doors communicating with the main building, and then go and call Forrest to her presence. “I shall not tax you much, Forrest,” she said, “though to-night I have to require rather an arduous service of you.” “Nothing is hard that I do for you, Miss Margaret,” replied Forrest. “Listen then--to-night, after you are sure that all the family are retired, and there is no possibility of your being observed, take my horse from the stable, and ride, as for your life, to Belleview, and put this carefully in the post office,” she said, drawing the letter from her bosom and placing it in the hand of Forrest. The old man looked at her wistfully, uneasily, drew a deep sigh, bowed reverently, put the letter in his pocket, and, at a sign from his mistress, left the room. But that night at eleven o’clock, Nellie, watching from her window, saw Miss Helmstedt’s messenger ride away over the hills through the moonlight. CHAPTER XI. THE MYSTERIOUS CORRESPONDENT. “You, sir! I want to see you! Come hither!” said Mrs. Houston, as she stood upon the back piazza, early the next morning, and beckoned Forrest to her presence. The old man bowed in his deferential manner, advanced and stood hat in hand before the little lady. “Where did you go last night after we had all retired?” Forrest bowed again, humbly and deprecatingly, but remained silent. “Did you hear me speak to you?” inquired Mrs. Houston, impatiently. The old man bowed once more very meekly, and answered: “I went after no harm, mistress.”