ith two prongs, and a knife of the same pattern (this was for Frank)
and on the other a small pewter tea-spoon and a knife, of which the only
handle was a small iron spike from which the wood had fallen away. (This
was for herself.) Then there was a tooth-glass for Frank, and a
teacup--without a handle, but with a gold flower in the middle of it, to
make up--for herself. In the center of the pocket-handkerchief stood a
crockery jug, with a mauve design of York Minster, with a thundercloud
behind it and a lady and gentleman with a child bowling a hoop in front
of it. This was the landlady's property, and was half full of beer.
Besides all this, there were two plates, one of a cold blue color, with
a portrait of the Prince Consort, whiskers and hat complete, in a small
medallion in the center, and the other white, with a representation of
the Falls of Lodore. There was no possibility of mistaking any of the
subjects treated upon these various pieces of table-ware, since the
title of each was neatly printed, in various styles, just below the
picture.

Gertie regarded this array with her head on one side. It was not often
that they dined in such luxury. She wished she had a flower to put in
the center. Then she stirred the contents of the frying-pan with an iron
spoon, and went again to the window.

The figure on the barrel had not moved; but even as she looked she saw
him put out his hand to the letter. She watched him. She saw him run a
finger inside the envelope, and toss the envelope over the edge of the
quay. Then she saw him unfold the paper inside and become absorbed.

This would never do. Gertie's idea of a letter was that it occupied at
least several minutes to read through; so she went out quickly to the
street door to call him in.

She called him, and he did not turn his head, nor even answer.

She called him again.

(IV)

The letter that Frank read lies, too, with a few other papers, before me
as I write.

It runs as follows:

"MY DEAR FRANK,

"I know you won't like what I have to say, but it has to be
said. Believe me, it costs me as much to write as you to
read--perhaps more.

"It is this: Our engagement must be at an end.

"You have a perfect right to ask me for reasons, so I will give
them at once, as I don't want to open the subject again. It
would do no kind of good. My mind is absolutely made up.

"My main reason is this: When I became engage