me that my suit would go on quite as well in
my absence, and whenever my presence was necessary he would be sure
to inform me of it. I did not doubt him in the least--it is a charming
thing to have confidence in one's man of business.

Of Montreuil I now saw nothing; but I accidentally heard that he was on
a visit to Gerald, and that the latter had already made the old walls
ring with premature hospitality. As for Aubrey, I was in perfect
ignorance of his movements; and the unsatisfactory shortness of his
last letter, and the wild expressions so breathing of fanaticism in the
postscript, had given me much anxiety and alarm on his account. I longed
above all to see him, to talk with him over old times and our future
plans, and to learn whether no new bias could be given to a temperament
which seemed to lean so strongly towards a self-punishing superstition.
It was about a week before the day fixed for my public nuptials that I
received at last from him the following letter:--

MY DEAREST BROTHER,--I have been long absent from home,--absent on
affairs on which we will talk hereafter. I have not forgotten you,
though I have been silent, and the news of my poor uncle's death has
shocked me greatly. On my arrival here I learned your disappointment and
your recourse to law. I am not so much surprised, though I am as
much grieved as yourself, for I will tell you now what seemed to me
unimportant before. On receiving your letter, requesting consent to your
designed marriage, my uncle seemed greatly displeased as well as vexed,
and afterwards he heard much that displeased him more; from what quarter
came his news I know not, and he only spoke of it in innuendoes and
angry insinuations. As far as I was able I endeavoured to learn his
meaning, but could not, and to my praises of you I thought latterly he
seemed to lend but a cold ear; he told me at last, when I was about to
leave him, that you had acted ungratefully to him, and that he should
alter his will. I scarcely thought of this speech at the time, or rather
I considered it as the threat of a momentary anger. Possibly, however,
it was the prelude to that disposition of property which has so wounded
you: I observe, too, that the will bears date about that period. I
mention this fact to you; you can draw from it what inference you will:
but I do solemnly believe that Gerald is innocent of any fraud towards
you.

I am all anxiety to hear whether your love continues. I bese