Harry looked surprised, but took the letter and read it. Myles watched him, thinking what a good idea it was to make him read the letter. If the report were unfounded, he would not guess who was referred to; and if it were true, he would. Harry’s face changed, grew amazed, embarrassed as he read on. When he had finished the letter, he folded it up, and returned it, without speaking, to its owner. He did not look at Myles, but out of the window, as he said, ‘It’s a very queer kind of a letter.’ ‘Well,’ said Myles, obliged to raise his voice, but desirous that neither Mary nor Edmund should overhear the conversation, ‘can you give a guess, lad, as to who the lady is that’s spoken of?’ ‘Well,’ said Harry, rather confusedly, ‘I have heard some talk about you and--and--that lady.’ ‘Suppose I don’t know who is meant? Suppose it’s all a riddle to me?’ said Myles. But Harry shook his head, saying, ‘Nay, nay, that won’t do.’ ‘But tell me who you think it is,’ said Myles, impatiently, desperately; ‘tell me, for God’s sake! I will know, Harry, so out with it.’ ‘You must remember, it’s no tale of mine--it’s only what I’ve heard; and I believe the lady meant is Miss Blisset. Fact is,’ he added decisively, ‘I know it is!’ Again Myles’s lips quivered a little as he said, ‘You said you were my friend, Harry. You must tell me what you’ve heard.’ ‘Well, it’s useless to deny that there’s a story going about that before her uncle died she was in love with you, and that you said so often; but _I_ don’t believe it, old chap. You never think I believe it all?’ ‘That I said she was in love with me?’ said Myles in a voice that had grown almost hoarse. ‘Yes; and that when you went to their house it wasn’t exactly to see the old gentleman, but----’ ‘There, that will do!’ said the other, holding up his hand and turning away sickened. It was too hideous. If any such rumour had penetrated to her ears? He could not speak, till Harry, in an ill-judged moment, said, ‘Nay, there’s nothing to take on about so much, Myles. Some enemy of yours has written that letter--some one as wants you out of the way. Can’t you see what he’s driving at when he advises you to go? Likely enough some one as thinks he might get your place if you were gone. But you’re not the sort of chap to pay any attention----’ ‘The advice is good,’ said Myles, curtly. ‘Very likely I shall take it. Do you know who set this tale going?’ he asked, turning to Harry with a look which startled the latter. ‘That’s just what no one can tell,’ said he. ‘It seems to be known everywhere, and yet we can’t tell where it comes from.’ ‘Though you give it the benefit of free discussion. Well, I’ve found out what I wanted to know. There’s only one thing more--if you care for me or mine--and we’ve known each other a good many years now--you’ll never speak of what we have spoken of this morning.’ ‘My hand upon it,’ said his friend. ‘Never, so long as I live.’