I did not agree with her, or perhaps, to speak more accurately, my true judgment was more than half convinced, but my self-will would not allow me to be guided by it. The result was, that I felt, and probably appeared, very cross. But an unexpected distraction of my thoughts was in store. That afternoon's post brought two letters for me, both with the same news, though from different sources. One was from mother and one from Moore. They announced that an epidemic of some kind, though not of a very serious nature, had broken out in his "house," and that the boys were disbanded for two or three weeks, Moore amongst them, as no exceptions could be made under the circumstances, though as it was an illness he had already had, he was considered proof against infection. "He is coming home," wrote my mother, "at once. It is a great pity, and I shall not know what to do with him alone here. He will miss you so dreadfully. If it were not a shame to propose it, I should be inclined to shorten your visit." And Moore's lamentations were even more outspoken. "Do come back as soon as ever you can, Reggie," he wrote. "I really can't stand home without you, and you can go back to Millflowers again later." I looked up gravely. "Isabel," I exclaimed, "I must go home;" and I told her what my letter contained. Isabel looked greatly distressed. "Oh, no, Regina," she replied, "you cannot leave us yet. You have been here barely a fortnight, and you were to stay five or six weeks at least. I should feel so unhappy if you left just now," she went on, "for--I don't quite know how it is--I feel as if I had been rather disagreeable to you about that tiresome old Grim House, but I am sure I didn't mean to be so. Only--" "You are quite right," I replied; "quite right not to do anything that you are at all afraid might vex your father;" at which Isabel's face cleared. She little suspected that I was saying to myself that I, not being Mr Wynyard's daughter, was not restricted in the same way. "I am so glad," she said, "that you see it that way now, for that _is_ my principal reason, though it is true too that I am naturally cowardly in some ways. I have not got your spirit and love of adventure. But as to your going home now, it really cannot be thought of. We must plan something. Stay! I have got an idea. Wait here a moment, Regina; I will be back directly." She ran off to look for her father, I felt sure. We were sitting in the drawing-room; it was nearly tea-time, and in a few moments she reappeared, followed by Mr Wynyard, her face fall of pleasure. "It is all right," she began. "I knew it would be. Regina, Moore is to come here as soon as it can be managed. Father says so."