THE WEDDING-DRESS "My dear," the letter began, "I have your letter.

Most happily my rascal, Terence, forwarded it; most happily, and by the grace of God, as I think, I thought to leave him the name of a halting-place where I might pick up letters, yet I expected none.

What a dullard I was, Bawn, not to have known! I compared my years and sorrows and my white hairs with your youth and beauty, and I thought you must love that golden lad, your cousin.

Heart's delight, it will take all the years that are left to me to tell you my gratitude.

There will be no sacrifice, child, and I do certainly believe there is no secret that Lord and Lady St.Leger need fear.