"DEAREST ALEX (is that right?)"
It told her of the journey to Devonshire, of an improvement in the invalid's state of health, and of Noel's own projected tour of inspection round the estate, which he thought had been neglected by his agent of late.
"But I shall be able to put all that right, I hope, as I'm rather keen about the housing of the poor, and questions of that sort. You might look out for any decent book on social economy, will you, Alex?"
The letter did not extend beyond the bottom of the second page, but Noel was going to write again in a day or two, when there was more to tell her, and with love to every one, he was hers for ever and a day, Noel.
Alex' reply went to Trevose the same day, but the letter she had written in the firelight, she burnt.
XII
Christmas Pantomime
The engagement was not announced, but a good many people knew about it.
Their congratulations pleased Alex, as did her mother's obvious pride and satisfaction.