The knight of the raspberry plantation has departed.

Read this; I found it on my plate." Catherine was about to toss the note to Mabel, when a hand was put quietly over her shoulder, and Mrs.Bertram took Loftus's letter to read.
"Mother, I didn't know you were down." "I just came in, my dear, and heard you speaking to Mabel.

What is this ?" She stood still to read the brief lines: "Dearest Sis,--I have had a sudden recall to Portsmouth.

Will write from there.

Love to the mother and Mab .-- Your affectionate brother, "Loftus." Mrs.Bertram looked up with a very startled expression in her eyes.
"Now, mother, there's nothing to fret you in this," said Kate, eagerly.
"Was not Loftie always the most changeable of mortals ?" "Yes, my dear, but not quite so changeable as not to know anything at all about a recall in the afternoon yesterday, and to have to leave us before we are out of bed in the morning.