"How can we keep Laura's name out of our discussion? The whole thing centres about Laura! This letter mentions Laura—ay, and I've had another letter, which I hadn't meant to show you, but which on second thoughts I should like you to see."
He began fumbling in another pocket.
"I don't want to see it!" cried Oliver. "I'd rather not see it!"
"But I'd rather you saw it," said Godfrey obstinately.
Tropenell read the second anonymous letter through, and then handed it back, without comment.
Silently they both turned about, and walked quickly, in almost complete silence, back to Freshley. "We've come home to tea, after all, mother," said Oliver shortly, "we are neither of us in condition for a fifteen-mile walk."
Neither man referred again to the matter which when they were together filled both their minds, and on the day of Laura's return to The Chase, Oliver Tropenell went up to town, without having seen her. Four days later his mother received a rather cryptic telegram: "Arriving to-night with a friend."
A friend? Some sure, sombre instinct told Mrs. Tropenell that this would be Gillie Baynton.