efore that of your own
darling. Oh, I shall hate the days you are away, but it cannot be
helped, can it? Father is already talking about your kit, and he
wants you to come and see him that he may advise you what to buy
and what to wear.--DORA.

He groaned as he realized that this note should have been read earlier.
It was too late now.

CHAPTER IV

DORA DUNDAS

Dick Swinton spent a wretched night after his humiliation at the dinner.
When he awakened, the sun of spring was shining on the quivering leaves
of the trees along the drive. He opened his window and looked out.

At the sound of the rattling casement, Rudd, who was at work on the lawn,
looked up. Rudd was general factotum--coachman, gardener, footman,--and
usually valeted his young master. Now, he hurried upstairs to Mr. Dick's
bedroom, where he duly appeared with a pile of letters.

"Mrs. Swinton and Miss Netty have breakfasted in their rooms, sir. The
rector has gone out. And it's nine o'clock."

Dick took the bundle of letters--bills all of them, except two, one of
which was addressed in the handwriting of Dora Dundas. Rudd knew the
outside of a bill as well as his young master, and had selected the
love-letter from the others, and placed it first.

When Dick was dressed, he opened the girl's letter, and his face
softened:

DEAREST, I hear that everything was settled last night, and I must
see you this morning. There are many things to be talked of before
the dreadful good-bye. I shall be in the Mall, but I can't stay
long.

Your loving,
DORA.

"She imagines I'm going," growled Dick, grinding his teeth and thinking
of the shameful scene of last night. "Well, I'll show them all that I
have the courage of my convictions."

But, despite his declarations, his feelings were greatly confused, and,
although he would not confess the fact even to himself, he was now
consumed with chagrin that he had refused the chance of service. To be
branded thus with cowardice was altogether insupportable!

And then, while he was in this mood, he opened the other envelope,
carelessly. His interest was first aroused by the fact that, as he
glanced at it, there was no sign of a letter. A second examination
revealed something contained there. Dick put in his fingers, and pulled
forth a white feather. For a few seconds, he stared at it in
bewildermen