True, she heard frequently from her niece--heard that she was contented and happy, and almost every letter contained a promise that some day they would be together again; but she had been gone nearly four years now, and the longed-for meeting was apparently as far off as ever. “Doctor,” she said one day as he entered the house for his supper, “I have got a letter from Lettie.” “Ah! is she well?” inquired Conway kindly. “Yes, she says she is,” replied Mrs. Allan; “but she has asked me such strange questions.” “About what?” “You would never guess. She wants the name of Norine Bright’s husband, and wants me to tell her all I can about him. What ever she can mean I don’t know.” “No harm, at any rate,” replied Conway, smiling slightly. “You know that all you women are more or less curious. I would write and tell her whatever she wants to know.” “But I don’t know half myself,” said Mrs. Allan, hunting in her capacious pocket for the letter. “I do wish, doctor, I could get you to answer it for me; but, land knows, I hate to trouble you.” “It is no trouble at all,” replied Conway pleasantly. “I should rather like to correspond with Miss Lettie after all this time.” Perhaps Conway thought it better that he should tell this inquisitive girl what he thought best that she should know. So he took the letter from Mrs. Allan and went into his office to answer it. And so it came about that Lester Conway commenced a correspondence with Miss Lettie Allan that was destined to greatly affect the lives of both. CHAPTER XXII. AN UNWELCOME VISITOR. It was not until spring that James Elwell and his bride returned to her father’s home. They had spent the fall and winter in Europe, part of the time rambling through Italy and southern Spain, and, of course, going up the valley of the Rhine, and skimming over the other places made famous by history or art. But it was society Fanny wanted. She was not greatly interested in the picturesque; so they spent the greater part of the time in the French capital, where they had entered into the American colony, and also into all the dissipations of that city. Elwell had not intended to make such a long stay; but Morain had written him that he could not be of much service in the business during the winter, and that he had better have as long a play spell as possible, so that he would be able to work the harder for it when he returned. And inasmuch as Pat took it for granted that his son-in-law was to enter the firm on his return, and as he seemed perfectly willing to pay all the bills they incurred, heavy though they were, Elwell had been satisfied to enjoy himself after the French fashion, being wise enough to enjoy the sunshine while it lasted.