"None. Jem thinks that the last before they started must have gone astray—perhaps not been posted. And they may for once have skipped over a mail or two before that. Once really off, we must of course expect a long break. We shall hear in good time, I dare say."
"And you don't worry yourself in the least—brave sensible Jean!"
"I'm too busy; and what is the use? Generally one finds in the end some common-sense explanation, which one might have known all the time. If anything had happened to put off their starting in the 'Spanish Gipsy,' why should they not have written to say so? If they were staying on at Melbourne, what should have prevented their writing? Unless—One possible explanation has come up. A piece of gossip, but I don't know why it should not be true," said Jean hardily, without a blush. "Miss Atherstone says Cyril is engaged."
"To—whom?"
"A young lady in Melbourne."
Evelyn did not at once repudiate the idea, as Jean had expected. "How did Miss Atherstone hear?"
"A letter from a friend to a friend of hers. Then you think it is true?" asked Jean, with a terrible heart-sinking.
"Cyril has mentioned several times a girl, named Lilias Mackenzie. I have had a passing suspicion more than once. However—" Evelyn hesitated, not looking at Jean.
Though Cyril had not confided in his sister before he left home, Evelyn had a pretty clear inkling as to affairs; but after two years of separation, who could foretell what might come to pass?
"It maybe all nonsense. Your father says nothing."