nts by the Town Council, which
only adds to the rates. I'm an old-fashioned woman, and stick to
old-fashioned country ways, and I think draughts is draughts, and gives
folks colds and toothaches, call 'em by what high-soundin' names you
will."

Judging the weather to be absolutely hopeless, and without the slightest
intention of clearing up, Isobel went back to the sitting-room, where
Polly had just taken away the breakfast things, and looked round for
some means of amusing herself.

"I don't believe the postman has been yet," she said. "What a terrible
day for him to go round! I should think he feels as if he ought to come
in a boat. Why, there's his rap-tap now. I wonder if there are any
letters for us?"

"I don't expect there will be," said Mrs. Stewart; "my correspondence is
not generally very large."

"I think I shall go and see, just for something to do," said Isobel; and
running into the hall, she returned presently with a letter in her hand.

"It's for you, mother," she said. "The people in the drawing-room had
five, and the family in the dining-room had seven and two parcels.
Aren't they lucky? There was even one for Polly, but Mrs. Jackson told
her to put it in her pocket, and not to read it till she had got the
beds made. I'm sure she'll take a peep at it, all the same. I wish some
one would write to me. I haven't had even a picture post-card since I
came."

The appearance of the letter which had just arrived seemed to cause Mrs.
Stewart an unusual amount of agitation. She turned it over in her hand,
glanced at Isobel, hesitated a moment, and finally took it unopened to
her bedroom, that she might read it in private.

"It is my long-expected reply at last!" she said to herself. "I thought
he could surely not fail to send me an answer. I wonder what he has to
say. I feel as though I scarcely dare to look."

With trembling fingers she tore open the envelope, and unfolding the
sheet of notepaper, read as follows:--

"THE CHASE, SILVERSANDS,
_August 24th._

"DEAR MADAM,--I have delayed replying sooner to your communication,
as I wished to thoroughly inform myself upon the question which you
put before me. Acting on your suggestion, I have, without her
knowledge, noted the general disposition, demeanour, and tastes of
your daughter, and finding they are of a nature such as would not
make a closer intimacy congenial to either of us, I must beg to
decline your p