Besides, there was the birthday festival to keep her mind from dwelling on doubts and fears that were not agreeable to her.

And the next day there was another event to occupy our attention--the arrival of the lawyer's letter from London, with the announcement of my inheritance on coming of age.

It was settled, as you know, that I was to go out into the world, and to judge for myself; but the date of my departure was not fixed.

Two days later, the storm that had been gathering for weeks past burst on us--we were cited to appear before the council to answer for an infraction of the Rules.

Everything that I have confessed to you, and some things besides that I have kept to myself, lay formally inscribed on a sheet of paper placed on the council table--and pinned to the sheet of paper was Mellicent's letter to me, found in my room.