believe he came
on purpose to see your sister, and I think that it was a dastardly
and most ungentleman-like thing to do."

"I am quite sure you are wrong, then,--altogether wrong," said Nora.

"Very well. We must have our own opinions. I am glad you can be so
charitable. But he should not have come here,--to this house, even
though imperative business had brought him into the very village.
But men in their vanity never think of the injury they may do to a
woman's name. Now I must go and write to my aunt. I am not going to
have it said hereafter that I deceived her. And then I shall write to
Hugh. Oh dear; oh dear!"

"I am afraid we are a great trouble to you."

"I will not deceive you, because I like you. This is a great trouble
to me. I have meant to be so prudent, and with all my prudence I have
not been able to keep clear of rocks. And I have been so indignant
with Aunt Stanbury! Now I must go and eat humble-pie."

Then she eat humble-pie,--after the following fashion:--

DEAR AUNT STANBURY,

After what has passed between us, I think it right to tell
you that Colonel Osborne has been at Nuncombe Putney, and
that he called at the Clock House this morning. We did not
see him. But Mrs. Trevelyan and Miss Rowley, together, did
see him. He remained here perhaps an hour.

I should not have thought it necessary to mention this to
you, the matter being one in which you are not concerned,
were it not for our former correspondence. When I last
wrote, I had no idea that he was coming,--nor had mamma.
And when you first wrote, he was not even expected by
Mrs. Trevelyan. The man you wrote about was another
gentleman;--as I told you before. All this is most
disagreeable and tiresome;--and would be quite
nonsensical, but that circumstances seem to make it
necessary.

As for Colonel Osborne, I wish he had not been here; but
his coming would do no harm,--only that it will be talked
about.

I think you will understand how it is that I feel myself
constrained to write to you. I do hope that you will spare
mamma, who is disturbed and harassed when she gets angry
letters. If you have anything to say to myself, I don't
mind it.

Yours truly,

PRISCILLA STANBURY.

The Clock House, Friday, August 5.

She wrote also to her brother Hugh; but Hugh himself reached Nuncombe
Putney before the letter reached him.

Mr. Bozzle watched the Co