If he still feared Josephine Hart, he was absolutely determined not to allow his fears to get the better of him.

He ceased even to say to himself that he was in love with this pretty witch of the yellow hair, and his letter to his mother was as cool and self-possessed as the most prudent among parents could desire.
Bertram told his mother that he thought he could manage to exchange with a brother officer, so as to secure his own leave while the days were long and the weather fine.

He said that if all went as he hoped, he would be at the Manor by the end of the following week, and he sent his love to his sisters, and hoped the mater was quite herself again.
Not once did he mention the name of Beatrice, but Mrs.Bertram read between the lines.

She admired her son for his caution.

Her heart leaped with exultation, her boy would not fail her.
If she had known that the old postman Benjafield had left a letter by the very same post for Miss Hart at the lodge, and that this letter in a disguised hand bore within the undoubted signature of her own beloved captain, her rejoicing would not have been so keen.