"I suppose so. No one is permitted to enter, it appears, except your sister and Miss Blair."
"Indeed," said Val; "I should think you would have the entry above all others. Have you not seen Nathalie since those melancholy changes have occurred?"
"Yes. Once."
"Ah! At Cottage Street?"
"Yes."
"Well," said Val, who was never restrained by sentimental delicacy, "what did she say?"
"Not much, but what she did say was exceedingly to the point. She gave me my coup de conge."
"You don't say so! Did you take it?"
"What could I do? She was inexorable! Of course, as a man of honor, I should have made her my wife, in spite of all, but she was determined."
A queer smile went wandering for a second or two round Mr. Blake's mouth, but he instantly called his risible faculties to order, and became grave again.