My being at The Pines could be kept secret. I must see her. J. F. 4.--TO JOHN FLEMMING. Do not think of it. It would be useless. R. W. D. has locked M. in her room. You would not be able to effect and interview. E. D. 5.--TO EDWARD DELANEY. Locked her in her room. Good God. That settles the question. I shall leave by the twelve-fifteen express. J. F. XV. THE ARRIVAL. On the second day of September, 1872, as the down express, due at 3.40, left the station at Hampton, a young man, leaning on the shoulder of a servant, whom he addressed as Watkins, stepped from the platform into a hack, and requested to be driven to “The Pines.” On arriving at the gate of a modest farm-house, a few miles from the station, the young man descended with difficulty from the carriage, and, casting a hasty glance across the road, seemed much impressed by some peculiarity in the landscape. Again leaning on the shoulder of the person Watkins, he walked to the door of the farm-house and inquired for Mr. Edward Delaney. He was informed by the aged man who answered his knock, that Mr. Edward Delaney had gone to Boston the day before, but that Mr. Jonas Delaney was within. This information did not appear satisfactory to the stranger, who inquired if Mr. Edward Delaney had left any message for Mr. John Flemming. There was a letter for Mr. Flemming if he were that person. After a brief absence the aged man reappeared with a Letter. XVI. EDWARD DELANEY TO JOHN FLEMMING. September 1, 1872. I am horror-stricken at what I have done! When I began this correspondence I had no other purpose than to relieve the tedium of your sick-chamber. Dillon told me to cheer you up. I tried to. I thought that you entered into the spirit of the thing. I had no idea, until within a few days, that you were taking matters au grand serieux. What can I say? I am in sackcloth and ashes. I am a pariah, a dog of an outcast. I tried to make a little romance to interest you, something soothing and idyllic, and, by Jove! I have done it only too well! My father doesn’t know a word of this, so don’t jar the old gentleman any more than you can help. I fly from the wrath to come--when you arrive! For oh, dear Jack, there isn’t any piazza, there isn’t any hammock--there isn’t any Marjorie Daw! End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Marjorie Daw, by Thomas Bailey Aldrich