nd in Mr. Cope's asking you flatly about the past, and
your being compelled to tell him; which may dash all my hopes for
Frances. She gets more and more like you every day, particularly when
she is in a bad temper. People will see you together, and notice it; and
I don't know what may come of it!'

'I don't think they will see us together,' he said; but he entered into
no argument when she insisted otherwise. The removal was eventually
resolved on; the town-house was disposed of; and again came the invasion
by furniture-men and vans, till all the movables and servants were
whisked away. He sent his wife and daughter to an hotel while this was
going on, taking two or three journeys himself to Ivell to superintend
the refixing, and the improvement of the grounds. When all was done he
returned to them in town.

The house was ready for their reception, he told them, and there only
remained the journey. He accompanied them and their personal luggage to
the station only, having, he said, to remain in town a short time on
business with his lawyer. They went, dubious and discontented--for the
much-loved Cope had made no sign.

'If we were going down to live here alone,' said Mrs Millborne to her
daughter in the train; 'and there was no intrusive tell-tale presence!
. . . But let it be!'

The house was a lovely little place in a grove of elms, and they liked it
much. The first person to call upon them as new residents was Mr. Cope.
He was delighted to find that they had come so near, and (though he did
not say this) meant to live in such excellent style. He had not,
however, resumed the manner of a lover.

'Your father spoils all!' murmured Mrs. Millborne.

But three days later she received a letter from her husband, which caused
her no small degree of astonishment. It was written from Boulogne.

It began with a long explanation of settlements of his property, in which
he had been engaged since their departure. The chief feature in the
business was that Mrs. Millborne found herself the absolute owner of a
comfortable sum in personal estate, and Frances of a life-interest in a
larger sum, the principal to be afterwards divided amongst her children
if she had any. The remainder of his letter ran as hereunder:--

'I have learnt that there are some derelictions of duty which cannot
be blotted out by tardy accomplishment. Our evil actions do not
remain isolated in the past, waiting only to be reversed: l