right as soon as both parties grew more sensible; and, as to which of
them was, in fault, his verdict was, six of one and half a dozen of the
other. Whenever he saw his niece pensive or tearful he laughed at her
and called her a grass widow. Henrietta found that she could endure
anything rather than this. Declaring that the world was hateful to her,
she hired a furnished villa in St. John's Wood, whither she moved in
December. But, suffering much there from loneliness, she soon wrote
a pathetic letter to Agatha, entreating her to spend the approaching
Christmas vacation with her, and promising her every luxury and
amusement that boundless affection could suggest and boundless means
procure. Agatha's reply contained some unlooked-for information.

"Alton College, Lyvern,

"14th December.

"Dearest Hetty: I don't think I can do exactly what you want, as I must
spend Xmas with Mamma at Chiswick; but I need not get there until Xmas
Eve, and we break up here on yesterday week, the 20th. So I will go
straight to you and bring you with me to Mamma's, where you will spend
Xmas much better than moping in a strange house. It is not quite settled
yet about my leaving the college after this term. You must promise not
to tell anyone; but I have a new friend here--a lover. Not that I am in
love with him, though I think very highly of him--you know I am not a
romantic fool; but he is very much in love with me; and I wish I could
return it as he deserves. The French say that one person turns the cheek
and the other kisses it. It has not got quite so far as that with us;
indeed, since he declared what he felt he has only been able to snatch
a few words with me when I have been skating or walking. But there has
always been at least one word or look that meant a great deal.