Thus, he, for one, was relieved when tea was over, and, as he rose from the table, he determined, despite the unpropitious look of things, to end the suspense, one way or another, and speak to Anthea just so soon as she should be alone.

But here again he was balked and disappointed, for when Small Porges came to bid him good-night as usual, he learned that “Auntie Anthea” had already gone to bed.

“She says it’s a head-ache,” said Small Porges, “but I ’specks it’s the hops, really, you know.”

“The hops, my Porges?”

“She’s worrying about them,—­she’s ‘fraid of a storm, like Adam is.  An’ when she worries,—­I worry.  Oh Uncle Porges!—­if only my prayers can bring the Money Moon—­soon, you know,—­very soon!  If they don’t bring it in a day or two,—­’fraid I shall wake up, one fine morning, an’ find I’ve worried, an’ worried myself into an old man.”

“Never fear, Shipmate!” said Bellew in his most nautical manner, “’all’s well that ends well,’—­a-low, and aloft all’s a-taunto.  So just take a turn at the lee braces, and keep your weather eye lifting, for you may be sure of this,—­if the storm does come,—­it will bring the Money Moon with it.”

Then, having bidden Small Porges a cheery “Good-night”—­Bellew went out to walk among the roses.  And, as he walked, he watched the flying wrack of clouds above his head, and listened to the wind that moaned in fitful gusts.  Wherefore, having learned in his many travels to read, and interpret such natural signs and omens, he shook his head, and muttered to himself—­even as Adam had done before him.

Presently he wandered back into the house, and, filling his pipe, went to hold communion with his friend—­the Cavalier.

And thus it was that having ensconced himself in the great elbow-chair, and raised his eyes to the picture, he espied a letter tucked into the frame, thereof.  Looking closer, he saw that it was directed to himself.  He took it down, and, after a momentary hesitation, broke the seal, and read: 

Miss Devine presents her compliments to Mr. Bellew, and regrets to say that owing to unforeseen circumstances, she begs that he will provide himself with other quarters at the expiration of the month, being the Twenty-third inst.

Bellew read the lines slowly, twice over, then, folding the note very carefully, put it into his pocket, and stood for a long time staring at nothing in particular.  At length he lifted his head, and looked up into the smiling eyes of the Cavalier, above the mantel.

“Sir,” said he, very gravely, “it would almost seem that you were in the right of it,—­that yours is the best method, after all!” Then he knocked the ashes from his pipe, and went, slowly, and heavily, up-stairs to bed.