Smyrger and Miss Woolsworthy about Captain Broughton. In many
respects--nay, I may say, as to all ordinary matters, no two women
could well be more intimate with each other than they were,--and more
than that, they had the courage each to talk to the other with absolute
truth as to things concerning themselves--a courage in which dear
friends often fail. But nevertheless, very little was said between
them about Captain John Broughton. All that was said may be here
repeated.

"John says that he shall return here in August," Miss Le Smyrger said,
as Patience was sitting with her in the parlour at Oxney Combe, on the
morning after that gentleman's departure.

"He told me so himself," said Patience; and as she spoke her round dark
eyes assumed a look of more than ordinary self-will. If Miss Le
Smyrger had intended to carry the conversation any further, she changed
her mind as she looked at her companion. Then, as I said, the summer
ran by, and towards the close of the warm days of July, Miss Le
Smyrger, sitting in the same chair in the same room, again took up the
conversation.

"I got a letter from John this morning. He says that he shall be here
on the third."

"Does he?"

"He is very punctual to the time he named."

"Yes; I fancy that he is a punctual man," said Patience.