“And I mine, Richard,” answered the other. “Don't reproach yourself like that”--for the vast frame of his elder brother shook with sobs--“it is much more my fault than yours: and you have been very good to me about my debts; kinder than most fellows in your position would have been--yes, you have, Dick; yes, you have. How very, very long it is since I have called you Dick; not since we were at school together! You used to call me Watty, then, you know.” “Yes, Watty; yes. I had almost forgotten it. Let us go to our mother at once, lad--as we used to do when we made up our quarrels in the old times--and ask her to come back again, and take her place here, where we all miss her so much.--Where is she, Dr Haldane?” “I don't know--that is, I may not tell, my boy,” returned the old gentleman hesitatingly, who, with Letty's hand fast clasped in his, was staring out of window as hard as he could, but his eyes were very dim. “Have you nothing more to tell us, sir?” asked Sir Richard humbly. “Well, no, boys. The letter”---- “The letter!” ejaculated Letty; “I remember now that dear mamma told me herself that when this very thing should come to pass--although I little knew at the time to what she was alluding--we should find a letter in her desk.” “It is not there now: she put it into my hands, and I--I tore it up,” observed the doctor. “I have told you faithfully all that it contained, with one exception. I do not choose to speak of that, dear Letty, and I have your mother's permission not to do so.” “Let me speak of it, then,” said Sir Richard, stealing his arm round his sister's waist, and kissing her very tenderly. “The message the doctor will not give respects yourself, dear, and his son Arthur. My foolish pride”---- “Pride, indeed!” broke in the little old man impetuously; “your confounded impertinence, I call it.” “Very well, doctor,” continued the baronet smiling; “let it be so, if you will. I had the audacity to suppose, Letty, that Mr Arthur Haldane was not good enough for you.” “Nor is he,” contested the little doctor with irritation. “Nobody's good enough for Letty Lisgard. But he is as good as can be found in England, that I will say, though the young man is my own son. And if he does not make you a pattern husband, I'll cut him off with a shilling.” “I shall be glad to give you away to such an honest fellow, Letty,” said the baronet warmly; “so let that matter be considered settled.” It was very pleasant to see the blushing girl hiding her tearful face in the old man's arms. “O mamma, mamma,” murmured she, “how happy I should be if you were but with us!” “Well, well, that will be soon, I hope, my dear,” said the doctor, patting her silken head. “I will do all I can on my part to persuade her: I am sure I shall make her happy with this news.” “Yes; but in the meantime,” said Letty, “how terrible it must be for her to be all alone. If you know where she is, can you not at least send Forest to be with her?”