"You don't ask questions? But I'll try to tell you. She sent me a letter intended for your uncle. 'Pon my honour, I feel sorry for her, but she began, 'My dearest,' and dashed if I didn't read it right through before I twigged she had put it in the wrong envelope. And she told him not to be angry with her, for the 'poor boy' would not keep away, and she could not make him see how he bored her. Then she went on to hint that if this poor infatuated youth still frequented her cottage, the Major must take into consideration that there was her girl ready to amuse him, and young people liked each other's company. Now what do you think of that? After assuring me that the Major was a daily purgatory to her. It bowled me over, I can tell you." "I am sorry for you," Sidney said, "but you would take no warnings. She has wanted to keep you both as friends." "Oh!" cried Austin with a little groan. "I tell you it has been a pretty stiff eye-opener to me! I sent the letter back to her, and told her she need not trouble to send the letter she originally meant for me, and, of course, I haven't been near her since. She wrote an abject apology, saying she could explain if I called, but mum's the word! And I shall be out of it soon. And I'm jolly well cured of a leaning towards your sex, Sid. If it were not for you, I'd never believe in a single woman again. By George! How she's taken me in, and befooled me. Do you think the Major got my letter?" "No, I don't think he did," said Sidney, stifling a sigh. "I almost wish he had. I don't think his eyes will ever be opened." "I shouldn't like to tell you of the jeers and jibes she has flung at his courting. But she may pull it off with him. And I say, do befriend that poor girl; she does have a time of it." "Do you mean Gavine?" "Yes, I put my foot in it several times trying to stand up for her. Don't think I'm a broken-hearted youth, Sid. I tell you, I rode by the cottage on purpose to-day, and whistled merrily. But all the same, I shall be glad to turn my back on this place for a time." When they parted, Sidney looked at him gravely. "Austin, you ought to be thankful to have had your eyes opened. She never would have made you happy." But when she got indoors she said to herself: "And now I feel that Uncle Ted is doomed. She will not let him escape her." And that feeling hovered about her like an angry looming cloud. The more cheerful her uncle became, the more anxious she was. The uncertain future seemed to menace her. It needed all her faith and fortitude to go about with a bright and smiling face. About the same time Monica had a visit from Mrs. Norman. She was the first to inform her that Austin was leaving home for a time.