They seemed like the dust and ashes of outworn things -- things to be smiled at and cast aside . I took out all the letters I had written -- all except the last one -- sealed them up in a parcel and directed it to Alan Fraser . Then , summoning my groom , I bade him ride to Glenellyn with it . His look of amazement almost made me laugh , but after he was gone I felt dizzy and frightened at my own daring . When the autumn darkness came down I went to my room and dressed as the woman dresses who awaits the one man of all the world . I hardly knew what I hoped or expected , but I was all athrill with a nameless , inexplicable happiness . I admit I looked very eagerly into the mirror when I was done , and I thought that the result was not unpleasing . Beauty had never been mine , but a faint reflection of it came over me in the tremulous flush and excitement of the moment . Then the maid came up to tell me that Alan Fraser was in the library . I went down with my cold hands tightly clasped behind me . He was standing by the library table , a tall , broad-shouldered man , with the light striking upward on his dark , sensitive face and iron-grey hair . When he saw me he came quickly forward . `` So you know -- and you are not angry -- your letters told me so much . I have loved you since that day in the beech wood , Isobel -- Isobel . '' His eyes were kindling into mine . He held my hands in a close , impetuous clasp . His voice was infinitely caressing as he pronounced my name . I had never heard it since Father died -- I had never heard it at all so musically and tenderly uttered . My ancestors might have turned in their graves just then -- but it mattered not . Living love had driven out dead hatred .
`` Isobel , '' he went XXXXX , `` there was one letter unanswered -- the last . ''
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