"Your sincere friend,
"John Danvers."
"Who is your letter from, Maurice?" asked Molly.
"He said I wasn't to tell you anything about it," said Maurice, looking up with sparkling eyes.
"Oh, we know what that means," said Cecil. "Mr. Danvers is coming at last—how glad I am!"
"You really must not force yourself on him," said Maurice, a pucker coming between his brows; "he honestly hates all women, and poor old chap, his prejudices must be humored. He didn't wish me to let you know that he was coming. I may drop in on him some day, if I fancy."
"I say!" exclaimed Teddy; "much chance he has of getting rid of us in that style."
"He wants you to attack your Cæsar," said Maurice, fixing his eyes on his brother.
"Oh, perhaps, after all, we'd better not bother him too much," was the quick reply. "I say, Charlie and Jimmy, let's run off for a scamper; it's a splendid day. How the wind does blow!"
"It's snowing as fast as ever it can," said Matilda, shivering as she spoke. "If you call this a splendid day, I must say I don't admire your taste; for my part, I am going to sit over the fire. Mother sent me down a copy of 'The Golden Butterfly' this morning; it looks interesting, and I shall spend my time reading it."