Before he came downstairs the next day, two letters were brought to him. One was from the young vicar of Waynflete, stating that a thaw having taken place on the Sunday after Christmas, four umbrellas had been put up during service, and did Mr Waynflete see his way to a subscription for mending the church roof? The letter was several pages long, and gave a very unflattering picture of the condition of the Waynflete property. The vicar expressed himself with youthful energy, and begged the owner of the property to come and see for himself what had to be done. And let Godfrey say what he would, he was that owner. The other letter was from Guy, and did not fill half a sheet. "Dear Godfrey,-- "There is a great deal that must be faced and settled. Pray come home at once, for I must know what you mean to do, and the frost made me so good for nothing that I don't see my way to getting on without help. I am better now, and Staunton is here with me. "Your affectionate brother,-- "Guy Waynflete." This letter brought Godfrey face to face with his own intentions. If he really meant to present himself before Jeanie's trustees he must know exactly what he had to say to them. There must be no false pretences. He would go back to Ingleby that very day. His decision, when he proclaimed it, roused a chorus of opposition. "He must come back for the dance on Twelfth Night." "Oh yes! I mean to come back," said Godfrey, steadily, with a glance at Jeanie. "But I must go home now. I've sent off a telegram to say so." He got off as soon as he could, and told Jeanie as he wished her good-bye that he was coming back again. But he forgot the rose, and left it in a glass on his dressing-table. On the next morning, on the last day of the old year, the two brothers found themselves alone and face to face, each determined to say his say; Guy watching his big young brother with quiet intentness, and Godfrey heeding nothing but his own purpose. He spoke first-- "Guy, I must make you understand once for all that I am not going to act under the will which Aunt Waynflete meant to destroy. I won't profit by it, and it is important to me just now that every one should know that I regard it as a dead letter. I've thought the matter out--the thing must be done legally; I shall execute a deed of gift which will give Waynflete and the money left with it to you and your heirs for ever. And I will have nothing more to do with it. That is one thing." "And what is the next?" said Guy.