I sent for you. I do want you to be kind to me. I want you to
take a present from me to Captain Bertram."

"A present? What?"

"This little packet. It is sealed and addressed. Inside there is a
story. That story would make Captain Bertram unhappy. I know the story;
he does not know it. On your wedding-day, after you are married, give
him this packet. When you put it in his hands, say these words, 'Nina
sent you this, Loftus, and you are to burn it.' You must promise to see
him burn the packet. What is the matter? Aren't you going to take it?"

"Yes, I will take it. Give it to me; I will put it in my pocket. Now,
wait a moment. I want to run downstairs. I will come back again."

She softly closed the door of Nina's room, rushed downstairs, and out
into the street.

Captain Bertram was passing the Bells' door when Beatrice ran up to him.

"Loftus, I want you," she said.

He turned in astonishment. He had been walking down the street, lost in
a miserable dream. Beatrice, in her sharp, clear tone awoke him. He
started, a wave of color passed over his dark face.

"Is anything wrong?" he asked, almost in alarm. "Bee, you are excited!"

"I am, fearfully. Come in, come upstairs!"

"Into the Bells' house! I don't want to visit the Bells. Beatrice, you
look strange, and oh, how lovely!"

"Don't talk of my looks. Come in, come upstairs. No, you are not to see
the Bells, nor are any of them about. Come--come at once."

She ran quickly up the stairs. He followed her, wondering, perplexed and
irritated.

"Beatrice, what is the matter?" he said, once.

"Not much--or, rather, yes, everything. Inside that room, Captain
Bertram, is one you know. Go and see her--or rather, come and see her,
with me. You know her, and once, you were, after your fashion,--a
_little_ kind."

Beatrice threw open the door.

"Nina," she said, "Captain Bertram is here,"--then she paused,--her next
words came with a visible effort--"And his heart shall choose the girl
he loves."

Beatrice walked straight across the room to the window. She heard a cry
from Nina, and something between a groan and an exclamation of joy from
Bertram.

She did not look round.

CHAPTER XXIX.

THE FEELINGS OF A CRUSHED MOTH.

"I don't think it's right for Maria to be in the room," said Mrs.
Butler. "I'll listen to all you've got to say in a moment, Mrs. Gorman
Stanley, but--Maria, will you have the goodness to leave us."

"I'd rather stay," pleaded p