MONTHLY PACKET

OF

EVENING READINGS

FOR

Members of the English Church.

EDITED BY CHARLOTTE M. YONGE,

AUTHOR OF THE HEIR OF REDCLIFFE,'

LONDON:

PRINTED BY WILLIAM CLOWES AND SONS, LIMITED,

STAMFORD STREET AND CHARING CROSS.

The Monthly Packet.

JANUARY, 1888.

BEECHCROFT AT ROCKSTONE.

BY THE EDITOR.

CHAPTER XIII.

ST. VALENTINE'S DAY.

MISS MOHUN came back in the dark after a long day, for once in her

life quite jaded, and explaining that the health officer and the land-

lord had been by no means agreed, and that nothing could be done

till Sir Jasper came home and decided whether to retain the house

or not.

All that she was clear about, and which she had telegraphed to

Aden, was that there must be no going back to Silverfold for the
present, and she was prepared to begin lodging-hunting as soon as
she received an answer.

'And how have you got on?' she asked, thinking all looked rather

blank.

'We haven't been to see Fly,' broke out Valetta, though she went

out on the beach, and Mysie must not stay out after dark, for fear

she should cough.'

Mysie says they are afraid of excitement,' said Gillian gloomily.

'Then you have seen nothing of the others?'

Yes, I have seen Victoria,' said Aunt Adeline, with a meaning

smile.

Miss Mohun went up to take off her things, and Gillian followed her,

shutting the door with ominous carefulness, and colouring all over.

Aunt Jane, I ought to tell you. A dreadful thing has happened!'

'Indeed, my dear! What?'

6

'I have had a valentine.'

'Oh!' repressing a certain inclination to laugh at the bathos from

the look of horror and shame in the girl's eyes.

'It is from that miserable Alexis! Oh, I know I brought it on
myself, and I have been so wretched, and so ashamed all day.'
'Was it so very shocking! Let me see

VOL. 15.

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PART 85.