"Well, I have something for you at last," said Miss Maxwell to her sister, one bright morning, several weeks earlier than the tragic events of the last chapter. She had just returned from the Citadel, and holding two letters high above her head, shook them gaily at Maud.
"I am so glad," returned that young lady, holding out her hand. "Who are they from? One from Mrs. Manning, I am sure."
"Who do you suppose the other is from? Which of your lovers has written you a letter?"
Handing over one she still held the other aloft.
"How foolish you are, Genie! This is the one I want to read first anyway."
Sitting down she broke the seal and commenced reading Mrs. Manning's letter, apparently unconscious that the other was waiting for perusal. The letter was a long one, and Maud's face glowed with pleasure as her eyes ran rapidly over its pages. Parts of it she read aloud, and other parts to herself. By-and-bye, when she had finished, she put it back within its cover, and held out her hand for the other one.
This was from Dr. Beaumont, and a slight flush suffused her cheek as she perused its contents. Gravely she read it through to the end without speaking a word.
"Are you not going to read it to me?" Eugenia asked as she sat opposite, quietly watching her sister's face.
"You may read all of Mrs. Manning's letter and welcome," said Maud, "but this from Dr. Beaumont I must keep to myself, for the present at least"; and she slipped it into her pocket. "Was not Mrs. Manning brave?" she continued.
"Indeed she was. She tells all about the journey and the new settlement, and the trials she had to endure."
"Yes," said Maud, "but there's an undertone through it all--even in her account of that terrible march along the Madawaska."
Maud turned to the window and looked dreamily out, while unconsciously she took the Doctor's letter from her pocket again and tapped the sill with it, as if to keep time to her thoughts.
"Dr. Beaumont comes in for his share of praise," said Eugenia as she read on. "I don't see how they could have done without him."
"Would not Dr. Fairchilds have done as well?" Maud asked in a low voice.
"He did not get the chance," was Eugenia's quick response.
"I always had doubt as to the real reason of that," said Maud.