the reflexion that this would be Louisa's reasoning. She was a dreadful
humbug and her departure had been a provocation--I fear it was in that
stupid conviction that I made out a little independent itinerary with
Archie. I even believed we should learn where they were quite soon
enough, and that our patience--even my young man's--would be longer than
theirs. Therefore I uttered a small private cry of triumph when three
weeks later--we happened to be at Interlaken--he reported to me that he
had received a note from Miss Pallant. The form of this confidence was
his enquiring if there were particular reasons why we should longer
delay our projected visit to the Italian lakes. Mightn't the fear of the
hot weather, which was moreover at that season our native temperature,
cease to operate, the middle of September having arrived? I answered
that we would start on the morrow if he liked, and then, pleased
apparently that I was so easy to deal with, he revealed his little
secret. He showed me his letter, which was a graceful natural document--
it covered with a few flowing strokes but a single page of note-paper--
not at all compromising to the young lady. If, however, it was almost
the apology I had looked for--save that this should have come from the
mother--it was not ostensibly in the least an invitation. It mentioned
casually--the mention was mainly in the words at the head of her paper--
that they were on the Lago Maggiore, at Baveno; but it consisted mainly
of the expression of a regret that they had had so abruptly to leave
Homburg. Linda failed to say under what necessity they had found
themselves; she only hoped we hadn't judged them too harshly and would
accept "this hasty line" as a substitute for the omitted good-bye. She
also hoped our days were passing pleasantly and with the same lovely
weather that prevailed south of the Alps; and she remained very
sincerely and with the kindest remembrances--!

The note contained no message from her mother, and it was open to me to