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Rh straight abroad, and I doubt if my uncle would have set detectives to track me. No, he will rest satisfied if you tell him that I am safe, and that he had better humour my whim of living in obscurity for a time. Perhaps, some day, I must return to live at my own home, Whiteburn; but not at present. I want to work hard, and be unknown for some years."

Mr. Twisden looked perplexed. He drummed his fingers on the writing-table for a minute or two, before he said—

"You place me in a very awkward position, my dear Miss Shaw. I am anxious to do all I can to help you. But do you not see that your uncle may very reasonably come down upon me for not instantly telegraphing to him that you are here, having left his roof, and that you are about to quit the country?"

"My uncle is absent from home. The telegram will be opened by his wife, and it will not be forwarded. She will keep back the fact of my departure till he returns, to-morrow or next day—by which time I shall be in Paris. I have written to him, saying I should come to you; and that you would know where I was, but that I desired it to be a secret. I think he will be satisfied—that he will not urge you to reveal it. Indeed, you must promise me not to do so, otherwise I should not write to you, as I intend to do, from time to time."

The old lawyer shook his head. "I think you misjudge your uncle. Mr. William Shaw is not clever; he is not a man of much decision of character—too easily influenced by others, I apprehend; but I cannot believe he would relinquish the responsibilities of his guardianship so lightly."