There was never a hint of sorrow or discouragement--nothing to intimate that life had so utterly and absolutely changed for him--only a jolly, friendly badinage--an easy, light-hearted narrative, ending in messages to all and a frank regret that the pursuit of business and happiness appeared incompatible at the present moment.
His address, he wrote, was his club; he sent her, he said, under separate cover, a rather interesting pamphlet--a monograph on the symbolism displayed by the designs in Samarcand rugs and textiles of the Ming dynasty.

And he ended, closing with a gentle jest concerning blue-stockings and rebellious locks of ruddy hair.
And signed his name.
* * * * * Nina and Eileen, in travelling gowns and veils, stood on the porch at Silverside, waiting for the depot wagon, when Selwyn's letter was handed to Eileen.
The girl flushed up, then, avoiding Nina's eyes, turned and entered the house.

Once out of sight, she swiftly mounted to her own room and dropped, breathless, on the bed, tearing the envelope from end to end.
And from end to end, and back again and over again, she read the letter--at first in expectancy, lips parted, colour brilliant, then with the smile still curving her cheeks--but less genuine now--almost mechanical--until the smile stamped on her stiffening lips faded, and the soft contours relaxed, and she lifted her eyes, staring into space with a wistful, questioning lift of the pure brows.
What more had she expected?
What more had she desired?
Nothing, surely, of that emotion which she declined to recognise; surely not that sentiment of which she had admitted her ignorance to him.

Again her eyes sought the pages, following the inked writing from end to end.

What was she seeking there that he had left unwritten?
What was she searching for, of which there was not one hint in all these pages?
And now Nina was calling her from the hall below; and she answered gaily and, hiding the letter in her long glove, came down the stairs.
"I'll tell you all about the letter in the train," she said; "he is perfectly well, and evidently quite happy; and Nina--" "What, dear ?" "I want to send him a telegram.