A few days after his departure Jean got the following letter from him—
"MY DEAR JEAN,—You should have seen Rawlings' face when I told him the news! He looked as if I were offering him a mixture of apple dumpling and squashed toads! A kind of proud disgust and of awed contempt showed itself in his smile. 'Ay, sir, if you be speakin' Gospel truth, I be pleased that the maid has not come to ruin. Her were allays so cocksure that her would do it, that I did feel 'twas the Almighty's business to teach her a lesson; but maybe the lesson will come. 'Tis from the top o' the tree, the fall be lowest! Go up to see it, sir? Well, maybe I shouldn't mind that, as long as it be a respectable, nice sort of a pictur! There are picturs, and there are picturs, sir, and 'tis to be hoped that Miss Jean have done her name and fam'ly credit. I be very pleased to hear that her have been doin' her best, but I've never rightly understood this Academy. 'Tis a school for young gents, I reckon; but tis not seemly for Miss Jean to be hangin' her pictur up on their walls!'"
"I can tell you, he'll be a proper treat in town, and we'll surprise you, when we meet you there. Take care of your little self, and for goodness' sake, guard the door of your lodging-house. What would happen to your reputation, if any male species—friend or relative—should leave their card on the doorstep! I gave the old man your news at dinner. I waited till it was nearly over, and then shot forth my explosive bomb."
"It shattered him, you bet! But he didn't move a muscle. In went his eyeglass, and his glare was stony."
"Have I not requested you never to mention that young person's name to me? Her actions are of no consequence or interest in my eyes, and neither ought they to be in yours."
"'Hum!' I said, but I didn't plague him further."
"Goodbye, my little cousin."
"Your very plain but devoted"
"CHARLES."
"Absurd boy!" was Jean's comment. But she folded up the letter, and put it in her desk.
A short time after this, Mrs. Talbot came to see her.
"I promised Frances to look you up now and then, and I always consider you one of my brother's protégés—the only respectable one he has—excuse plain speaking, my dear! How are you getting on? Is your landlady attentive and obliging? You must come and dine with me one night. I shall be giving one or two quiet little dinners soon. By the by, do you know that Mrs. Gordon is coming up to town? She has taken a house in Chester Square for two months. She is bringing up that little child to a specialist. Dr. Fergusson has been planning it for a long time. I shake my head over it. He says she is strong enough for an operation now, which was talked about a long time ago."
"Really!" exclaimed Jean. "Is there any hope at all about her case? I fancied there was none."
"My dear, you know what doctors are! I believe myself, it will be a useless expense and trouble."
"But Dr. Fergusson must know. He would never let Sunnie suffer unnecessarily. And wonderful things are done nowadays. You have surprised me! I never thought Sunnie could be moved. How will she bear the long journey? When are they coming?"
Mrs. Talbot smiled at her excitement. "They will travel in an invalid carriage, of course, with every comfort. I believe they are to arrive to-morrow—I am not sure. Helen Gordon is an old friend of mine. Would you like to meet her again? I will send you an invitation to dinner the night I am expecting her, if you like."
"Thank you very much, but I don't know if Mrs. Gordon would care about seeing me again. She was very kind to me, but I'm a professional, Mrs. Talbot, and she only had me in her house for business. It is Sunnie that I would really like to see."