As soon as the lad had closed the door behind him, Miss Beaumont murmured to herself, "H'm! I wonder what Matthew will say to such an epistle. He'll be a little taken aback, I think, but it won't do him any harm in the end."
After which speech she sat down to her writing-desk, and wrote several letters, one of which was addressed to Sir Matthew Rose, Bart.
At the end of half-an-hour Hugh reappeared, with a sealed letter in his hand, which he gave into her keeping.
"This is a secret, I suppose, Hugh?" she said, interrogatively.
"Yes, please, Miss Beaumont."
"Ah, I understand; this isn't the first secret we've had, is it, my boy?"
"No," said Hugh; "you are very good to us, only I wish you would let me tell mother where the presents come from."
"No, Hugh, I'd rather not; perhaps she shall know some day, but not yet."
And with this Hugh was perforce content.