Pencilled across the envelope of this letter, in my uncle's hand, were the
words, 'Let me have your answer when sealed, and I will transmit it.--S.R.'
When, accordingly, some days later, I did place my letter to Milly in my
uncle's hands, he told me the reason of his reserves on the subject.
'I thought it best, dear Maud, not to plague you with a secret, and Milly's
present address is one. It will in a few weeks become the rallying-point of
our diverse routes, when you shall meet her, and I join you both. Nobody,
until the storm shall have blown over, must know where I am to be found,
except my lawyer; and I think you would prefer ignorance to the trouble of
keeping a secret on which so much may depend.'
This being reasonable, and even considerate, I acquiesced.
In that interval there reached me such a charming, gay, and affectionate
letter--a very _long_ letter, too--though the writer was scarcely seven
miles away, from dear Cousin Monica, full of pleasant gossip, and
rose-coloured and golden castles in the air, and the kindest interest in
poor Milly, and the warmest affection for me.
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