NORMAN RETURNS TO TOWN Harry Norman made no answer to either of his three letters beyond that of sending Alaric's back unread; but this, without other reply, was sufficient to let them all guess, nearly with accuracy, what was the state of his mind.

Alaric told Gertrude how his missive had been treated, and Gertrude, of course, told her mother.
There was very little of that joy at Surbiton Cottage which should have been the forerunner of a wedding.

None of the Woodward circle were content thus to lose their friend.

And then their unhappiness on this score was augmented by hearing that Harry had sent up a medical certificate, instead of returning to his duties when his prolonged leave of absence was expired.
To Alaric this, at the moment, was a relief.

He had dreaded the return of Norman to London.