t of lead in his breast pocket.
Many times, when he found himself alone, did his hand move quickly
toward it. But each time, with a little shudder of repulsion and a
furtive glance about the room, his arm fell back and the letter was
left untouched. It was not until late in the evening, when he had
returned to his apartment and had sat for many minutes alone in his
library, his expression telling of a dark and bitter mood, that at
last, with sudden resolution, he drew the packet from his breast.

Even then he did not at once open it, but held it in a shaking hand,
and stared at it with an angry frown. Once he grasped it in both hands
and made as if he would tear it in two. But his fingers stopped with
their first movement and his arms dropped.

Springing impatiently to his feet he moved toward the grate as if he
would fling the missive upon the coals. But again his will weakened
and with a resentful exclamation he walked back to his seat. As he
tore the envelope open, he looked up, startled, as if he had heard
some unusual sound, gazed about the room, moved the hangings at the
window, hurried to the door, which stood ajar, and, after a glance
into the next room, closed and locked it. Again he started and stared
about him apprehensively. Had he heard, he asked himself, or only
imagined, the sound of a scornful, arrogant laugh?

At last, forcing himself to the task, he began to read the letter. It
was written in a large, open, round hand that was very legible,
notwithstanding the somewhat irregular formation of the letters.

"I went last week to see your mother and sister," it began
abruptly, "and you must understand, right now, that you must
pay more attention to them. You must have the house repaired
and, in general, make them more comfortable--you can see, as
well as another, what needs to be done. They would like to
have some sign, now and then, that you remember and care
about them, and you must give it. I enclose the titles of
some books that Penelope would like to read and you must buy
them and send them to her at once. I told her you would. And
I told them, too, that you are planning to give Penelope a
surprise by enclosing one end of the porch with glass so
that she can sit there during the winter. You'd better make
them a visit over Sunday--next Sunday--and give the order
for the work while you are there. Oh, I know that your
beauty-