“It was Mr. White’s own niece, and taken out of Mrs. White’s hands,” said Magdalen. “Besides,” as Agatha still looked unconvinced, “one thing that made me think the invitation desirable was that it would break off any foolishness with Wilfred Merrifield—I think it was in their minds too.” “Wilfred! Oh, there was a little nonsense.” “Less on his side, since Felicia Vanderkist has been here; but I think Vera has been all the more disposed to—to—” “Run after him,” said Agatha. “I could fancy it in Flapsy; but he is such a boy, and not half so nice-looking as the rest of them either.” “My dear Agatha, I must tell you he reminds me strangely of a young Mr. Merrifield whom I knew at Filsted when I was younger than you.” “A brother of Bessie?” “Even so. He got into some kind of trouble at Filsted, his father came and broke it off, and sent him out to Canada, where I fear he did not do well, and nothing has been heard of him since, except—” She spoke with a catch in her voice which made Agatha look up at her, and detect a rising colour. “Nothing!” she repeated. “Except an anonymous parcel, returning to the brothers in Canada the sum he had taken with him. Strangely, the clue was not followed up, and he is lost sight of! But Wilfred’s air, and still more his manner, is always recalling his cousin to me, and, Nag, dear, I could not bear to see Vera go through the same trial by my exposing her to the intercourse. Not that I know any harm of Wilfred, but his parents could not like anything of the kind.” “Certainly not! Yes, I suppose you are right, dear old Maidie.” But Agatha pondered over those words that had slipped out, “the same trial.” CHAPTER XXI—THE ELECTRICIANS “Thou shalt have the air Of freedom. Follow and do me service.” —“THE TEMPEST.” “IS Agatha in?” asked Dolores Mohun, jumping off her bicycle as she saw Magdalen, on a frosty day the next Christmas vacation, in her garden. “She is doing scientific arithmetic with Thekla; giving me a holiday, in fact! You University maidens quite take the shine out of us poor old teachers.” “Ah! if we can give shine we can’t give substance. But I want to borrow Nag, if you have no objection.” “Borrow her! I am sure it is something she will like.” “It is in the way of business, but she will like it all the same. They want me to give a course of lectures on electricity at Bexley to the Institute and the two High Schools, and I particularly want a skilled assistant, whom I can depend upon; not masters, nor boys! Now Nag is just what I should like. We should stay at Lancelot Underwood’s, a very charming place to be at.” “Isn’t he some connection?”