Time has passed. Grand nephews are as young and hopeful as nephews used to be. I have written innumerable miserable grovelling tales. I dedicate this one to you; despairing at last of writing that masterpiece which should have been worthy of you.

But tell me this: Is there still a little corner of your heart that I may call mine? a corner into which no one else is allowed to put--yes--to put foot? Oh, but I should be glad to know that!

G.M.

BEDFORD, February, 1913.

LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS

["Are you in love with me now?" he asked wistfully Frontispiece.]

[She wished that she might die, or, infinitely better, that she had never been born.]

[She had on her work-apron, but she was not working.]

[He praised, blamed, patronized, puffed his pipe, and dwelt with superiority on topics which are best left alone.]