“Hiram, listen carefully,” began the false Lady Agatha. Then she told him that this would be their last interview. Circumstances over which she had no control compelled her to depart. She was to assume another phase of existence upon another plane. She could not explain to him so that he would understand. But her interest in him would never flag. And she knew that he would be happier wedded to some good woman. It was apparent to her that Miss Sophia would make him the ideal wife. He would soon learn to love Miss Sophia. She had considerable difficulty in getting the promise; but finally Uncle Bainbridge snorted out a pledge that he would marry, and stumped away. That night he went to London. It was a week before he returned. I did not communicate what I had seen and heard to Marion. The truth was, I felt rather sorry for Miss Sophia. To resort to such a trick she must have been desperate indeed. I tried to imagine what her life had been, and not condemn her too harshly. And besides, if she was to marry Uncle Bainbridge, which seemed settled now, I did not care to have her aware that I knew her secret. During the absence of Uncle Bainbridge she became quietly radiant, as befits one who knows that the battle is won. She was evidently certain that he would speak definitely upon his return. The night that he came back he gathered us all about him in the library. “Something to say! Important!” he shouted. We all assumed attitudes of attention. “Thinking maybe--get married!” said Uncle Bainbridge. It was just like Uncle Bainbridge to announce the matter in the lady's presence before having formally asked her; but I felt that it was a trifle hard on Miss Sophia. But a glance at her reassured me on that score. She was flushed; but it was the flush of triumph rather than the flush of embarrassment. “Bought a brewery!” said Uncle Bainbridge. “Good brewery! Good beer! Like English beer! Like English people!” 1 felt that this was a little irrelevant, and I am sure that Miss Sophia felt the same way. “Bought a castle!” said Uncle Bainbridge, warming to the work. “Fine castle! Like castles! Fix it up! Live in it! Settle here! Like England! Fine country.” “A castle! Oh, how lovely!” shrilled Miss Sophia, clapping her hands girlishly. “How lovely for all of us!” “Not invited!” roared Uncle Bainbridge, taking us all in with one sweeping gesture. “None of you!” There was silence for a moment. “Going to get married!” said Uncle Bainbridge, rising to his feet. “Not Sophia! Caught Sophia--behind bookcase! Knew all the time! Sneaky trick! Marry fine woman! Henry saw her--over the fence that day! Fine woman! Curate's mother here! Dumplings! Fine dumplings! Learned to make 'em for me! She don't want--to get too thick--with any my relations! She says--all of you--are too American!”