"MY DEAR ROBERT--How cruel of you to run away to that horrid St.
Petersburg before the hunting season! I have heard that people lose
their noses in that disagreeable climate, and as yours is rather a long
one, I should advise you to return before the very severe weather sets
in. What sort of person is this Mr. Talboys? If he is very agreeable you
may bring him to the Court as soon as you return from your travels. Lady
Audley tells me to request you to secure her a set of sables. You are
not to consider the price, but to be sure that they are the handsomest
that can be obtained. Papa is perfectly absurd about his new wife, and
she and I cannot get on together at all; not that she is, disagreeable
to me, for, as far as that goes, she makes herself agreeable to every
one; but she is so irretrievably childish and silly.

"Believe me to be, my dear Robert.

"Your affectionate cousin,

"ALICIA AUDLEY."




CHAPTER VII.

AFTER A YEAR.


The first year of George Talboys' widowhood passed away, the deep band
of crepe about his hat grew brown and dusty, and as the last burning day
of another August faded out, he sat smoking cigars in the quiet chambers