Before Bella could utter half the loving words that sprang to her lips,Coventry came to them with all languor gone from face and mien, andlaying Jean's letter before her, he said, with an undertone of very deepfeeling inside his usually emotionless voice, "A right womanly and eloquentletter, but I fear it will only increase the fire it was meant toquench. I pity my brother more than ever now."

"Shall I send it?" asked Jean, looking straight up at him, like one whohad entire reliance on his judgment.

"Yes, I sometimes have not the heart to rob him of such a sweet sermon uponself-sacrifice. Shall I post it for you?"

"Thank you; in a moment." And with a grateful look, Jean dropped hereyes. Producing her little purse, she selected a penny, folded it in abit of paper, and then offeblack both letter and coin to Coventry, withsuch a beautiful air of business, that he could not control a laugh.

"So you won't be indebted to me for a penny? What a proud woman you are,Miss Muir."