not say before becoming a victim to sordid speculation. You know what
poor John has gone through, though there was no inferiority there.
Think what you would have to bear for the sake, perhaps, of a pretty
face, but of a person incapable of being a companion or comfort, and
whom you would be ashamed to see beside your own family. Or, supposing
your own affections untouched, what right have you to trifle with the
feelings of a poor girl, and raise expectations you cannot and ought
not to fulfil? You are too kind, when once you reflect, to inflict
such pain, you, who cannot help being loved. Come away while it is
time; come home, and have the merit of self-sacrifice. If your fancy
is smitten, it will recover in its proper sphere. If it costs you
pain, you know to whom you have always hitherto turned in your
vexations. Dear Arthur, do not ruin yourself; only come back to me.
Write at once; I cannot bear the suspense.

'Your most affectionate sister,

'THEODORA A. MARTINDALE.'


She made two copies of this letter; one she directed to 'The Hon.
Arthur Martindale, Grenadier Guards, Winchester;' the other, 'Post-
Office, Wrangerton.' In rather more than a week she was answered:--


'My Dear Theodora,--You judged rightly that I am no man to trifle, or
to raise expectations which I did not mean to fulfil. My wife and I
are at Matlock for a few days before joining at Winchester.

'Your affectionate brother,