Four Gates by Amy Le Feuvre

"This fond attachment to the well-known place Whence first we started into life's long race Maintains its hold with such unfailing sway, We feel it e'en in age, and at our latest day. " COWPER.

THE little boys were in bed. Audrey was alone in the drawing-room reading. Mrs. Bonar was dining with the Tates.

It was about nine o'clock, and the long summer evening was only now beginning to draw in. Audrey was just laying down her book, and was leaning out of the window to inhale the scent of some climbing heliotrope outside, when the maid appeared at the door.

"A gentleman to see you, ma'am."

Audrey rose, looking a little scared at seeing a tall, rather feeble-looking man in a long overcoat standing on the threshold of the door and staring at her in perfect silence.

"I don't think I know who it is," she said, holding out her hand.

"I suppose not. I should not have known you. Have you any recollection of a brother?"

"Bernard! Surely it cannot be Bernard?"

"It is."

Audrey darted forward impulsively, and held out both her hands.

"How did you find me out? When did you come home? Why have you never written to us? We thought you were dead."

"I have been down home. I hoped I might find my mother alive; it was rather a shock to find both the parents gone. I got your address from old Blunt. I'm afraid you have been left badly off."

"Very, but I am earning my own living, and very happy in the doing of it. Tell me about yourself. Why did you never write us?"

"I determined I would not till I had made my fortune. Foolish, perhaps, but you get out of the way of writing after a bit. I always meant to come home a millionaire, but I am not one yet, and am driven back by illness. I have had rheumatic fever and am crippled in my limbs. They say a course of baths will put me right again, but I don't know."

"You are not married?"

"Good heavens, no! I've been working too hard for that."

"And you have been successful? Mother always said you would be. She always believed in you."

Her brother smiled, and his smile quite transformed him.

"It was the thought of that and of her that kept me straight as a youngster. No, I've kept clear of womankind, but I've a fancy to be with them now. I've got a comfortable income. You will have to come and keep house for me, Audrey."

Audrey drew a long breath. Could she? She wondered, and then was dismayed at her hesitation.