Margaret M Robertson (continued 12)

“I thank you, Harry, dear. But, you know, Fanny’s taste and mine are different. I don’t always fancy her pleasant people. And I should not think of taking you away on my account.”

“Not at all. I shall go, at any rate. But I want you to go, Rosie, for a reason I have. And I promise you won’t regret it. I wish Graeme would go, too.”

“It would be charming if we could all go together,” said Rose. “But it would be hardly worth while, we could make so short a stay, now.”

“I enjoyed it very much,” said Harry. “One gets to know people so much better in such a place, and I am sure you would like the Roxburys, Rosie, if you would only take pains to know them.”

“My dear Harry! think what you are saying! Would they take pains to know me? They are Fanny’s nice people, are they? Yes, I suppose so. However, I don’t believe Graeme will care to go.”

Graeme uttered an exclamation over her letter.

“It is from. Mr Snow,” said she, with a pale face.

“Bad news?” asked Harry.

It was bad news, indeed. It told, in Mr Snow’s brief way, that, within a few days, the illness, from which his wife had been suffering for some time, had taken a dangerous turn, rendering an operation necessary; and the letter was sent to prepare them for a possible fatal result.

“It gives her a chance, and that is all the doctors will say. She says it will be all right whichever way it turns. God bless you all. Emily will tell you more.”

“Harry,” said Graeme, as he laid down the letter. “I must go to Janet.”

“It would be a comfort to her if you could,” said Harry, gravely.

“And to me,” said Graeme. “I shall go early to-morrow.”

There was not much more said about it. There was a little discussion about the trains, and the best way to take, and then Harry went away. Rose had not spoken a word while he was there, but the moment the door closed after him, she said, softly,—

“Harry does not think that I am going; but, dear, you promised that, whatever happened, we should keep together. And, Graeme, the quiet time has been to prepare you for this; and we are sure it will all be right, as Janet says. You will let me go with you, Graeme?” she pleaded; “you will never go and leave me here?”

So whatever Harry thought, Graeme could do nothing but yield; and the next morning the sisters were speeding southward, with fear in their hearts, but with peace and hope in them, also; for they knew, and they said to one another many times that day, that the words of their dear old friend would come true, and that in whatever way the trouble that had fallen on her might end, it would be for her all well.

Chapter Forty One.

September was nearly over; there were tokens of the coming Autumn on the hills and valleys of Merleville, but the day was like a day in the prime of summer, and the air that came in through the open windows of the south room fell on Mrs Snow’s pale cheeks as mild and balmy as a breeze of June. The wood-covered hills were unfaded still, and beautiful, though here and there a crimson banner waved, or a pillar of gold rose up amid the greenness. Over among the valleys, were sudden, shifting sparkles from half-hidden brooks, and the pond gleamed in the sunshine without a cloud to dim its brightness. In the broken fields that sloped towards it, and in the narrow meadows that skirted that part of the Merle river which could be seen, there were tokens of life and busy labour—dark stretches of newly-turned mould alternating with the green of the pastures, or the bleached stubble of the recent harvest. There were glimpses of the white houses of the village through the trees, and, now and then, a traveller passed slowly along the winding road, but there was nothing far or near to disturb the sweet quiet of the scene now so familiar and so dear, and Mrs Snow gazed out upon it with a sense of peace and rest at her heart which showed in her quiet face and in her folded hands.

It showed in Mr Snow’s face, too, as he glanced now and then over the edge of the newspaper he was holding in his hand. He was reading, and she was supposed to be listening, to one of the excellent articles which weekly enriched the columns of The Puritan, but the look that was coming and going on his wife’s face was not just the look with which she was wont to listen to the doings of the County Association of ministers, Mr Snow thought, and, in a little, he let the paper drop from his hand.

“Well, and how did they come on with their discussions?” said Mrs Snow, her attention recalled by the silence.

Mr Snow smiled.

“Oh! pretty much so. Their discussions will keep a spell, I guess,” said he, taking off his spectacles, and changing his seat so as to look out of the window.

“It is a bonny day,” said Mrs Snow, softly.

“Yes, it is kind of pleasant.”

There was nothing more said for a long time. Many words were not needed between these two by this time. They had been passing through weeks of sore trial; the shadow of death had seemed to be darkening over them, and, worse to bear even than the prospect of death, had been the suffering which had brought it near. Worse for her, for she had drawn very near to the unseen world—so near that the glory had been visible, and it had cost her a struggle to be willing to come back again; and worse for him, too, whose heart had grown sick at the sight of the slow, wearing pain, growing sharper every day.

But that was past now. Very slowly, but still surely, health was coming back to the invalid, and the rest from long pain, and the consciousness of returning strength, were making the bright day and the fair scene more beautiful to her. As for him, he could only look at her with thankful joy.

“I never saw this bonny place bonnier than it is to-day, and so sweet, and quiet, and homelike. We live in a fair world, and, on a day like this, one is ready to forget that there is sin or trouble in it.”

“It is good to see you sitting there,” said Mr Snow, for answer.

“Well, I am content to be sitting here. I doubt I shall do little else for the rest of my life. I must be a useless body, I’m afraid,” added she, with a sigh.

Mr Snow smiled.

“You know better than that,” said he. “I don’t suppose it seems much to you to get back again; but it is a great deal for the rest of us to have you, if it is only to look at.”

“I am content to bide my time, useless or useful, as God wills,” said his wife, gravely:

“I was willing you should go—yes, I do think I was willing you should go. It was the seeing you suffer that seemed to take the strength out of me,” said he, with a shudder. “It makes me kind of sick to think about it,” added he, rising and moving about. “I believe I was willing, but I am dreadful glad to see you sitting there.”

“I am glad to be here, since it is God’s will. It is a wonderful thing to stand on the very brink of the river of death, and then to turn back again. I think the world can never look quite the same to eyes that have looked beyond it to the other side. But I am content to be here, and to serve Him, whether it be by working or by waiting.”

“On the very brink,” repeated Mr Snow, musingly. “Well, it did look like that, one while. I wonder if I was really willing to have you go. It don’t seem now as if I could have been—being so glad as I am that you did not go, and so thankful.”

“I don’t think the gladness contradicts the willingness; and knowing you as I do, and myself as well, I wonder less at the willingness than at the gladness.”

This needed further consideration, it seemed, for Mr Snow did not answer, but sat musing, with his eyes fixed on the distant hills, till Mrs Snow spoke again.

“I thought at first, when the worst was over, it was only a respite from pain before the end; but, to-day, I feel as if my life was really coming back to me, and I am more glad to live than I have been any day yet.”

Mr Snow cleared his throat, and nodded his head a great many times. It was not easy for him to speak at the moment.

“If it were only May, now, instead of September! You always did find our winters hard; and it is pretty tough being hived up so many months of the year. I do dread the winter for you.”

“Maybe it winna be so hard on me. We must make the best of it anyway. I am thankful for ease from pain. That is much.”

“Yes,” said Mr Snow, with the shudder that always came with the remembrance of his wife’s sufferings, “thank God for that. I ain’t a going to fret nor worry about the winter, if I can help it. I am going to live, if I can, from hour to hour, and from day to day, by the grace that is given me; but if I could fix it so that Graeme would see it best to stop here a spell longer, I should find it considerable easier, I expect.”

“But she has said nothing about going away yet,” said Mrs Snow, smiling at his way of putting it. “You must take the grace of her presence, day by day, as you do the rest, at least till she shows signs of departure.”

“We never can tell how things are going to turn,” said Mr Snow, musingly. “There is that good come out of your sickness. They are both here, and, as far as I see, they are content to be here. If we could prevail on Will to see it his duty to look toward this field of labour, now, I don’t doubt but we could fix it so that they should make their home, here always—right here in this house, I mean—only it would be ’most too good a thing to have in this world, I’m afraid.”

“We must wait for the leadings of Providence,” said his wife. “This field, as you call it, is no’ at Will’s taking yet. What would your friend, Mr Perry, think if he heard you? And as for the others, we must not be over-anxious to keep them beyond what their brothers would like. But, as you say, they seem content; and it is a pleasure to have them here, greater than I can put in words; and I know you are as pleased as I am, and that doubles the pleasure to me,” added Mrs Snow, looking gratefully toward her husband. “It might have been so different.”

“Oh! come, now. It ain’t worth while, to put it in that way at this time of day. I don’t know as you’d allow it exactly; but I do think they are about as nigh to me as they are to you. I really do.”

“That’s saying much, but I’ll no’ gainsay it,” said Mrs Snow, smiling. “They are good bairns, and a blessing wherever they may go. But I doubt we canna hope to keep them very long with us.”

“It is amazing to me. I can’t seem to understand it, or reconcile it to—.”

Mr Snow paused and looked at his wife in the deprecating manner he was wont to assume when he was not quite sure whether or not she would like what he was going to say, and then added:

“However, she don’t worry about it. She is just as contented as can be, and no mistake; and I rather seem to remember that you used to worry a little about her when they were here last.”

“About Miss Graeme, was it?” said Mrs Snow, with a smile; “maybe I did. I was as good at that as at most things. Yes, she is content with life, now. God’s peace is in her heart, and in her life, too. I need not have been afraid.”

“Rosie’s sobered down some, don’t you think?” said Mr Snow, with some hesitation. “She used to be as lively as a cricket. Maybe it is only my notion, but she seems different.”

“She’s older and wiser, and she’ll be none the worse to take a soberer view of life than she used to do,” said Mrs Snow. “I have seen nothing beyond what was to be looked for in the circumstances. But I have been so full of myself, and my own troubles of late, I may not have taken notice. Her sister is not anxious about her; I would have seen that. The bairn is gathering sense—that is all, I think.”

“Well! yes. It will be all right. I don’t suppose it will be more than a passing cloud, and I might have known better than to vex you with it.”

“Indeed, you have not vexed me, and I am not going to vex myself with any such thought. It will all come right, as you say. I have seen her sister in deeper water than any that can be about her, and she is on dry land now. ‘And hath set my feet upon a rock, and established my goings,’” added Mrs Snow, softly. “That is the way with my bairn, I believe. Thank God. And they’ll both be the better for this quiet time, and we’ll take the good of it without wishing for more than is wise, or setting our hearts on what may fail. See, they are coming down the brae together. It is good to see them.”

The first weeks of their stay in Merleville had been weeks of great anxiety. Long after a very difficult and painful operation had been successfully performed, Mrs Snow remained in great danger, and the two girls gave themselves up to the duty of nursing and caring for her, to the exclusion of all other thoughts and interests. To Mr Snow it seemed that his wife had been won back to life by their devotion, and Janet herself, when her long swoon of exhaustion and weakness was over, remembered that, even at the worst time of all, a dim consciousness of the presence of her darlings had been with her, and a wish to stay, for their sakes, had held her here, when her soul seemed floating away to unseen worlds.

By a change, so gradual as scarcely to be perceptible, from day to day, she came back to a knowledge of their loving care, and took up the burden of her life again. Not joyfully, perhaps, having been so near to the attaining of heavenly joy, but still with patience and content, willing to abide God’s time.

After that the days followed one another quietly and happily, with little to break the pleasant monotony beyond the occasional visits of the neighbours from the village, or the coming of letters from home. To Graeme it was a very peaceful time. Watching her from day to day, her old friend could not but see that she was content with her life and its work, now; that whatever the shadow had been which had fallen on her earlier days, it had passed away, leaving around her, not the brightness of her youth, but a milder and more enduring radiance. Graeme was, in Janet’s eyes, just what the daughter of her father and mother ought to be. If she could have wished anything changed, it would have been in her circumstances, not in herself. She was not satisfied that to her should be denied the higher happiness of being in a home of her own—the first and dearest to some one worthy of her love.

“And yet who knows?” said she to herself. “One can never tell in which road true happiness lies; and it is not for me, who can see only a little way, to wish for anything that God has not given her. ‘A contented mind is a continual feast,’ says the Book. She has that. And ‘Blessed are the meek, and the merciful, and the pure in heart.’ What would I have? I’ll make no plans, and I’ll make no wishes. It is all in good hands, and there is nothing to fear for her, I am sure of that. As for her sister—. Well, I suppose there will ay be something in the lot of those we love to make us mindful that they need better help than ours. And it is too far on in the day for me to doubt that good guidance will come to her as to the rest.”

Still, after her husband’s words, Mrs Snow regarded Rose’s movements with an earnestness that she was not quite willing to acknowledge even to herself. It was rather unreasonable of him, she thought at first, to be otherwise than content with the young girl in her new sedateness. She was not quite so merry and idle as during her last visit; but that was not surprising, seeing she was older and wiser, and more sensible of the responsibilities that life brings to all. It was natural that it should be so, and well that it should be so. It was matter for thankfulness that the years were bringing her wisdom, and that, looking on life with serious eyes, she would not expect too much from it, nor be so bitterly disappointed at its inevitable failures. She was quieter and graver, but surely no fault was to be found with that, seeing there had been sickness and anxiety in the house.

She was cheerful and busy too, Mrs Snow saw, accomplishing wonderful things in the way of learning to do housework, and dairy work, under the direction of Hannah, and comporting herself generally in a way that was winning the good opinion of that experienced and rather exacting housekeeper. She took great interest in out-of-door affairs, going daily with the deacon to the high sheep pasture, or to the clearing beyond the swamp, or wherever else his oversight of farming matters led him, which ought to have contented Mr Snow, his wife thought, and which might have done so if he had been quite sure that her heart was in it all.

By and by Mrs Snow wearied a little for the mirthfulness and laughter that had sometimes needed to be gently checked during her former visit. More than once, too, she fancied she saw a wistful look in Graeme’s eyes as they followed her sister’s movements, and she had much ado to keep from troubling herself about them both.

They were sitting one day together in the south room which looked out over the garden and the orchard and the pond beyond. Rose was in the garden, walking listlessly up and down the long paths between the flower-beds, and Mrs Snow, as she watched her, wondered within herself whether this would be a good time to speak to Graeme about her sister. Before she had time to decide, however, they were startled by Hannah’s voice coming round the corner—

“Rose,” it said, “hadn’t you just as leives do your walking right straight ahead? ’Cause, if you had, you might take a pitcher and go over to Emily’s and borrow some yeast. I don’t calculate, as a general thing, to get out of yeast, or any thing else, but the cat’s been and keeled the jug right down, and spilled the last drop, and I want a little to set some more to rising.”

“Hannah,” said Rose, with a penitent face, “I am afraid it was my fault. I left the jug on the corner of the shelf, instead of putting it away as I ought. I am very sorry.”

“Well, I thought pretty likely it might be you, seeing it wasn’t me,” said Hannah, grimly. “That jug has held the yeast in this house since Grandma Snow’s time, and now it’s broke to forty pieces.”

“Oh, I am so sorry!” said Rose.

“Well, I guess it don’t matter a great sight. Nobody will worry about it, if I don’t, and it’s no use crying over spilt milk. But I guess you’d better tell Emily how it happened. I’d a little rather what borrowing there is between the two houses should be on t’other side. I wouldn’t have asked you, only I thought you’d rather go than not. That walking up and down is about as shiftless a business as ever you undertook. But don’t you go if you don’t want to.”

Rose shrugged her shoulders.

“Oh! I’ll go, and I’ll tell Mrs Nasmyth how it happened, and that it was my fault and the cat’s. Mrs Snow,” said she, presenting herself at the window, “did you hear what Hannah has been saying? I have broken Grandma Snow’s yeast jug into forty pieces, and I am to go and confess to Emily, and get some yeast.”

“I thought it was the cat that did it; though, doubtless, it was your fault not putting it in its place. However, there is no great harm done, so that you get more yeast to Hannah.”

“And let Emily know that it is my fault and not Hannah’s that more yeast is needed. Graeme, will you come and have a walk this bonny day?”

“You can go and do Hannah’s errand, now, and I will stay with Mrs Snow, and we will walk together later,” said Graeme.

“And you might bring wee Rosie home with you, if her mother will spare her, and if she wants to come. But there is no doubt of her wishing to come with you.”

“Is anything the matter with your sister, that you follow her with such troubled e’en?” asked Mrs Snow, after a moment’s silence.

“Troubled e’en!” repeated Graeme. “No, I don’t think there is anything the matter with her. Do you? Why should you think there is anything the matter with her, Janet?”

“My dear, I was only asking you; and it was because of the look that you sent after her—a look that contradicts your words—a thing that doesna often happen with you, be it said.”

“Did I look troubled? I don’t think there is any reason for it on Rosie’s account—any that can be told. I mean I can only guess at any cause of trouble she may have. Just for a minute, now and then, I have felt a little anxious, perhaps; but it is not at all because I think there is anything seriously wrong with Rosie, or indeed anything that will not do her good rather than harm. But oh, Janet! it is sad that we cannot keep all trouble away from those we love.”

“I canna agree with you, my dear. It would be ill done to keep anything from her that will do her good and not evil, as you say yourself. But well or ill, you canna do it, and it is foolish and wrong of you to vex yourself more than is needful.”

“But I do not, indeed. Just now it was her restless, aimless walking up and down that vexed me. I am foolish, I suppose, but it always does.”

“I daresay it may tell of an uneasy mind, whiles,” said Mrs Snow, gravely. “I mind you used to be given to it yourself in the old times, when you werena at ease with yourself. But if you don’t like it in your sister, you should encourage her to employ herself in a purpose-like manner.”

“Hannah has done it for me this time—I am not sure, however.” For Rosie was standing still at the gate looking away down the hill towards the village, “thinking her own thoughts, doubtless,” Graeme said to herself.

“She’s waiting for some one, maybe. I daresay Sandy has sent some one down to the village for the papers, as this is the day they mostly come.”

“Miss Graeme, my dear,” continued Mrs Snow, in a little, “it is time you were thinking of overtaking all the visiting you’ll be expected to do, now that I am better. It will be a while, before you’ll get over all the places where they will expect to see you, for nobody will like to be overlooked.”

“Oh, I don’t know!” said Graeme. “It is not just like last time, when we were strangers and new to the people. And we have seen almost everybody already. And I like this quiet time much best.”

“But, my dear, it is too late to begin to think first of your own likes and dislikes now. And it will be good for Rosie, and you mustna tell me that you are losing interest in your Merleville friends, dear! That would be ungrateful, when they all have so warm an interest in you.”

“No, indeed! I have not lost interest in my Merleville friends. There will never be any place just like Merleville to me. Our old life here always comes back to me like a happy, happy dream. I can hardly remember any troubles that came to us all those seven years, Janet—till the very end.”

“My dear, you had your troubles, plenty of them, or you thought you had; but the golden gleam of youth lies on your thoughts of that time, now. There was the going away of the lads, for one thing. I mind well you thought those partings hard to bear.”

“Yes, I remember,” said Graeme, gravely, “but even then we hoped to meet again, and life lay before us all; and nothing had happened to make us afraid.”

“My dear, nothing has happened yet that need make you afraid. If you mean for Rosie, she must have her share of the small tribulations that fall to the lot of most women, at one time or other of their lives; but she is of a cheerful nature, and not easily daunted; and dear, you have come safely over rougher bits of road than any that are like to lie before her, and she ay will have you to guide her. And looking at you, love, and knowing that the ‘great peace,’ the Book speaks about, is in your heart and in your life, I have no fear for your sister, after all that has come and gone to you.”

Graeme leaned back in her chair, silent for a moment, then she said, gently,—

“I am not afraid. I cannot think what I have said, Janet, to make you think I am afraid for Rosie.”

“My dear, you have said nothing. It was the wistful look in your e’en that made me speak to you about her. And besides, I have noticed Rosie myself. She is not so light of heart as she used to be. It may be the anxious time you have had with me, or it may be the added years, or it may be something that it may be wiser for you and me not to seem to see. But whatever it is, I am not afraid for Rose. I am only afraid that you may vex yourself about her, when there is no need. There can be no good in that, you know well.”

“But I am not vexing myself, Janet, indeed. I will tell you what I know about it. Do you mind that restless fit that was on me long ago, when you came to see us, and how it seemed to me that I must go away? Well, Rose has come to the same place in her life, and she would like to have work, real work, to do in the world, and she has got impatient of her useless life, as she calls it. It has come on her sooner than it came on me, but that is because the circumstances are different, I suppose, and I hope it may pass away. For, oh! Janet, I shrink from the struggle, and the going away from them all; and I have got to that time when one grows content with just the little things that come to one’s hand to do, seeing they are sent by God, as well as nobler work. But it is not so with Rose, and even if this wears over, as it did with me, there are weary days before her; and no wonder, Janet, that I follow her with anxious eyes.”

There was no more said for a moment. They were both watching Rose, who still stood at the gate, shading her eyes, and looking down the hill.

“She doesna look like one that has much the matter with her,” said Mrs Snow. “Miss Graeme, my dear, do you ken what ails your sister? Why has this feverish wish to be away and at work come upon her so suddenly, if it is a question that I ought to ask?”

“Janet, I cannot tell you. I do not know. I can but guess at it myself, and I may be all wrong. And I think, perhaps, the best help we can give her, is not to seem to see, as you said a little ago. Sometimes I have thought it might all be set right, if Rose would only speak; but one can never be sure, and I think, Janet, we can only wait and see. I don’t believe there is much cause for fear, if only Rose will have patience.”

“Then, wherefore should you look so troubled? Nothing but wrong-doing on your sister’s part should make you look like that.” For there were tears in Graeme’s eyes as she watched her sister, and she looked both anxious and afraid.

“Wrong-doing,” repeated she, with a start. Then she rose impatiently, but sat down again in a moment. Was it “wrong-doing” in a woman to let her heart slip unawares and unasked from her own keeping? If this was indeed the thing that had happened to Rose? Or was it “wrong-doing” to come to the knowledge of one’s heart too late, as Harry had once hinted might be the end of Rosie’s foolish love of admiration?

“Wrong-doing,” she repeated again, with a sudden stir of indignation at her heart. “No, that must never be said of Rose. It must be one of the small tribulations that sooner or later fall to the lot of most women, as you said yourself Janet, a little ago. And it won’t do to discuss it, anyway. See, Rose has opened the gate for some one. Who is coming in?”

“My dear,” said Mrs Snow, gravely, “it was far from my thought to wish to know about anything that I should not. It is Sandy she is opening the gate for, and wee Rosie. He has been down for the papers, it seems, and he may have gotten letters as well.”

“But, Janet,” said Graeme, eagerly, “you know I could not mean that I could not tell you if I were ever so willing. I do not know. I can only guess; but as for ‘wrong-doing’—”

“My dear, you needna tell me that. Sandy, man, it must seem a strange-like thing to the folk in the village to see you carrying the child that way on your horse before you—you that have wagons of one kind or another, and plenty of them, at your disposal. Is it safe for the bairn, think you? Do you like that way of riding, my wee Rosie?”

“Yes, gamma, I ’ike it,” lisped the two years old Rosie, smiling brightly.

“It is safe enough, mother, you may be sure of that. And as for what the village folk may think, that’s a new thing for you to ask. It is the best and pleasantest way in the world for both Rosie and me.” And looking at the proud, young father and the happy child sitting before him, it was not to be for a moment doubted.

“It must be delightful,” said Rose, laughing. “I should like a ride myself, wee Rosie.”

“And why not?” said Mrs Snow. “Sandy, man, it is a wonder to me that you havena thought about it before. Have you your habit here, my dear? Why should you no’ bring young Major or Dandy over, saddled for Miss Rose? It would do her all the good in the world to get a gallop in a day like this.”

“There is no reason in the world why I should not, if Miss Rose, would like it.”

“I would like it very much. Not that I need the good of it especially, but I shall enjoy the pleasure of it. And will you let wee Rosie come with me.”

“If grandma has no objections,” said Sandy, laughing. “But it must be old Major, if you take her.”

“Did ever anybody hear such nonsense?” said Mrs Snow, impatiently. “But you’ll need to haste, Sandy, man, or we shall be having visitors, and then she winna get away.”

“Yes, I should not wonder. I saw Mr Perry coming up the way with a book in his hand. But I could bring young Major and Dandy too, and Miss Rose needn’t be kept at home then.”

Rose laughed merrily.

“Who? The minister? Oh! fie, Sandy man, you shouldna speak such nonsense. Wee Rosie, are you no’ going to stay the day with Miss Graeme and me?” said Mrs Snow.

Graeme held up her arms for the little girl, but she did not offer to move.

“Will you bide with grannie, wee Rosie?” asked her father, pulling back her sun-bonnet, and letting a mass of tangled, yellow curls fall over her rosy face.

“Tum adain Grannie,” said the little girl, gravely. She was too well pleased with her place to wish to leave it. Her father laughed.

“She shall come when I bring over Dandy for Miss Rose. In the meantime, I have something for some one here.”

“Letters,” said Graeme and Rose, in a breath.

“One a piece. Good news, I hope. I shall soon be back again, Miss Rose, with Dandy.”

Graeme’s letter was from Will, written after having heard of his sisters being in Merleville, before he had heard of Mrs Snow’s recovery. He had thought once of coming home with Mr Millar, he said, but had changed his plans, partly because he wished to accept an invitation he had received from his uncle in the north, and partly for other reasons. He was staying at present with Mrs Millar, who was “one of a thousand,” wrote Will, with enthusiasm, “and, indeed, so is, her son, Mr Ruthven, but you know Allan, of old.” And then he went on to other things.

Graeme read the letter first herself, and then to Mrs Snow and Rose. In the midst of it Mr Snow came in. Rose had read hers, but held it in her hand still, even after they had ceased to discuss Will’s.

“It is from Fanny,” said she, at last. “You can read it to Mrs Snow, if you like, Graeme. It is all about baby and his perfections; or nearly all. I will go and put on my habit for my ride. Uncle Sampson come with me, won’t you? Have you anything particular to do to-day?”

“To ride?” said Mr Snow. “I’d as lieve go as not, and a little rather—if you’ll promise to take it moderate. I should like the chaise full better than the saddle, I guess, though.”

Rose laughed.

“I will promise to let you take it moderate. I am not afraid to go alone, if you don’t want to ride. But I shouldn’t fancy the chaise to-day. A good gallop is just what I want, I think.”

She went to prepare for her ride, and Graeme read Fanny’s letter. It was, as Rose had said, a record of her darling’s pretty sayings and doings, and gentle regrets that his aunts could not have the happiness of being at home to watch his daily growth in wisdom and beauty. Then there were a few words at the end.

“Harry is properly indignant, as we all are, at your hint that you may see Norman and Hilda, before you see home again. Harry says it is quite absurd to speak of such a thing, but we have seen very little of him of late. I hope we may see more of him now that his friend and partner has returned. He has been quite too much taken up with his little Amy, to think of us. However, I promised Mr Millar I would say nothing of that bit of news. He must tell you about it himself. He has a great deal of Scottish news, but I should only spoil it by trying to tell it; and I think it is quite possible that Harry may fulfil his threat, and come for you himself. But I suppose he will give you fair warning,” and so on.

Graeme closed the letter, saying nothing.

“It is not just very clear, I think,” said Mrs Snow.

“Is it not?” said Graeme. “I did not notice. Of course, it is all nonsense about Harry coming to take us home.”

“And who is little Miss Amy, that she speaks of? Is she a friend of your brother Harry? Or is she Mr Millar’s friend? Mrs Arthur doesna seem to make it clear?”

“Miss Amy Roxbury,” said Graeme, opening her letter again. “Does she not make it plain? Oh, well! we shall hear more about it, she says. I suppose Harry has got back to his old fancy, that we are to go and live with him if Mr Millar goes elsewhere. Indeed, I don’t understand it myself; but we shall hear more soon I daresay. Ah! here is Rosie.”

“And here is Dandy,” said Rose, coming in with her habit on. “And here is wee Rosie come to keep you company while I am away. And here is Mr Snow, on old Major. Don’t expect us home till night. We shall have a day of it, shall we not?”

They had a very quiet day at home. Wee Rosie came and went, and told her little tales to the content of her grandmother and Graeme, who made much of the little girl, as may well be supposed. She was a bonny little creature, with her father’s blue eyes and fair curls, and showing already some of the quaint, grave ways that Graeme remembered in her mother as a child.

In the afternoon, Emily came with her baby, and they were all happy and busy, and had no time for anxious or troubled thoughts. At least, they never spoke a word that had reference to anything sad. But, when Graeme read the letters again to Emily, Mrs Snow noticed that she did not read the part about their going West, or about little Amy, or about Harry’s coming to take them home. But her eye lingered on the words, and her thoughts went back to some old trouble, she saw by her grave look, and by the silence that fell upon her, even in the midst of her pretty child’s play with the little ones. But never a word was spoken about anything sad. And, by and by, visitors came, and Mrs Snow, being tired, went to lie down to rest for a while. But when Rose and Mr Snow came home, they found her standing at the gate, ready to receive them.

Chapter Forty Two.

“I want to know! Now do tell; if there ain’t mother standing at the gate, and opening it for us, too,” exclaimed Mr Snow, in astonishment and delight. “That is the farthest she’s been yet, and it begins to look a little like getting well, now, don’t it?”

“I hope nothing has happened,” said Rose, a little anxiously.

“I guess not—nothing to fret over. Her face don’t look like it. Well, mother, you feel pretty smart to-night, don’t you? You look first-rate.”

“I am just as usual,” said Mrs Snow, quietly. “But what has kept you so long? We were beginning to wonder about you.”

“Has anything happened?” said Rose, looking over Mrs Snow’s head, at a little crowd of people coming out at the door.

“We have visitors, that is all. The minister is here, and a friend of yours—your brother Harry’s partner. He has brought news—not bad news, at least he doesna seem to think so, nor Miss Graeme. I have hardly heard it myself, yet, or seen the young man, for I was tired and had to lie down. But you’ll hear it yourself in due time.”

Rose reined her horse aside.

“Take care, dear,” said Mrs Snow, as she sprung to the ground without assistance. “There is no need for such haste. You might have waited for Sandy or some one to help you, I think.”

“What is it, Graeme?” said Rose, for her sister looked flashed and excited, and there were traces of tears on her cheeks she was sure. But she did not look anxious—certainly not unhappy.

“Rosie, dear, Charlie has come.”

“Oh! Charlie has come, has he? That is it, is it?” said Rose, with a long breath.

Yes, there was Mr Millar, offering his hand and smiling—“exactly like himself,” Rose thought, but she could not tell very well, for her eyes were dazzled with the red light of the setting sun. But she was very glad to see him, she told him; and she told the minister she was very glad to see him, too, in the very same tone, the next minute. There was not much time to say anything, however, for Hannah—whose patience had been tried by the delay—announced that tea was on the table, in a tone quite too peremptory to be trifled with.

“Rose, you are tired, I am sure. Never mind taking off your habit till after tea.”

Rose confessed herself tired after her long and rapid ride.

“For I left Mr Snow at Major Spring’s, and went on a long way by myself, and it is just possible, that, after all, you are right, and I have gone too far for the first ride; for see, I am a little shaky,” added she, as the teacup she passed to Mr Snow trembled in her hand.

Then she asked Mr Millar about the news he had brought them, and whether all were well, and a question or two besides; and then she gave herself up to the pleasure of listening to the conversation of the minister, and it came into Graeme’s mind that if Harry had been there he would have said she was amusing herself with a little serious flirtation. Graeme did not think so, or, if she did, it did not make her angry as it would have made Harry; for though she said little, except to the grave wee Rosie Nasmyth, whom she had taken under her care, she looked very bright and glad. Rose looked at her once or twice, a little startled, and after a while, in watching her, evidently lost the thread of the minister’s entertaining discourse, and answered him at random.

“I have a note from Harry,” said Graeme, as they left the tea-table. “Here it is. Go and take off your habit. You look hot and tired.”

In a little while the visitors were gone and Mr Millar was being put through a course of questions by Mr Snow. Graeme sat and listened to them, and thought of Rose, who, all the time, was sitting up-stairs with Harry’s letter in her hand.

It was not a long letter. Rose had time to read it a dozen times over, Graeme knew, but still she lingered, for a reason she could not have told to any one, which she did not even care to make very plain to herself. Mr Snow was asking, and Mr Millar was answering, questions about Scotland, and Will, and Mr Ruthven, and every word that was said was intensely interesting to her; and yet, while she listened eagerly, and put in a word now and then that showed how much she cared, she was conscious all the time, that she was listening for the sound of a movement overhead, or for her sister’s footstep on the stair. By and by, as Charlie went on, in answer to Mr Snow’s questions, to tell about the state of agriculture in his native shire, her attention wandered altogether, and she listened only for the footsteps.

“She may perhaps think it strange that I do not go up at once. I daresay it is foolish in me. Very likely this news will be no more to her than to me.”

“Where is your sister?” said Mrs Snow, who, as well as Graeme, had been attending to two things at once. “I doubt the foolish lassie has tired herself with riding too far.”

“I will go and see,” said Graeme.

Before she entered her sister’s room Rose called to her.

“Is it you, Graeme? What do you think of Harry’s news? He has not lost much time, has he?”

“I was surprised,” said Graeme.

Rose was busy brushing her hair.

“Surprised! I should think so. Did you ever think such a thing might happen, Graeme?”

This was Harry’s letter.

“My Dear Sisters,—I have won my Amy! You cannot be more astonished than I am. I know I am not good enough for her, but I love her dearly, and it will go hard with me if I don’t make her happy. I only want to be assured that you are both delighted, to make my happiness complete.”

Throwing her hair back a little, Rose read it again. This was not quite all. There was a postscript over the page, which Rose had at first overlooked, and she was not sure that Graeme had seen it. Besides, it had nothing to do with the subject matter of the note.

“Did the thought of such a thing ever come into your mind?” asked she again, as she laid the letter down.

“Yes,” said Graeme, slowly. “It did come into my mind more than once. And, on looking back, I rather wonder that I did not see it all. I can remember now a good many things that looked like it, but I never was good at seeing such affairs approaching, you know.”

“Are you glad, Graeme?”

“Yes, I am glad. I believe I shall be very glad when I have had time to think about it.”

“Because Harry’s happiness won’t be complete unless you are, you know,” said Rose, laughing.

“I am sure Harry is quite sincere in what he says about it,” said Graeme.

“It is not to be doubted. I daresay she is a nice little thing; and, after all, it won’t make the same difference to us that Fanny’s coming did.”

“No, if we are to consider it with reference to ourselves. But I think I am very glad for Harry’s sake.”

“And that is more than we could have said for Arthur. However, there is no good going back to that now. It has all turned out very well.”

“Things mostly do, if people will have patience,” said Graeme, “and I am sure this will, for Harry, I mean. I was always inclined to like little Amy, only—only, we saw very little of her you know—and—yes, I am sure I shall love her dearly.”

“Well, you must make haste to tell Harry so, to complete his happiness. And he is very much astonished at his good fortune,” said Rose, taking up the letter again. “‘Not good enough for her,’ he says. That is the humility of true love, I suppose; and, really, if he is pleased, we may be. I daresay she is a nice little thing.”

“She is more than just a nice little thing. You should hear what Mr Millar says of her.”

“He ought to know! ‘Poor Charlie,’ as Harry calls him in the pride of his success. Go down-stairs, Graeme, and I will follow in a minute; I am nearly ready!”

The postscript which Rose was not sure whether Graeme had seen, said, “poor Charlie,” and intimated that Harry’s sisters owed him much kindness for the trouble he was taking in going so far to carry them the news in person. Not Harry’s own particular news, Rose supposed, but tidings of Will, and of all that was likely to interest them from both sides of the sea.

“I would like to know why he calls him ‘poor Charlie,’” said Rose, with a shrug. “I suppose, however, we must all seem like objects of compassion to Harry, at the moment of his triumph, as none of us have what has fallen to him.”

Graeme went down without a word, smiling to herself as she went. She had seen the postscript, and she thought she knew why Harry had written “poor Charlie,” but she said nothing to Rose. The subject of conversation had changed during her absence, it seemed.

“I want to know! Do tell!” Mr Snow was saying. “I call that first-rate news, if it is as you say, Mr Millar. Do the girls know it? Graeme, do you know that Harry is going to be married.”

“Yes, so Harry tells me.”

“And who is the lady? Is it anyone we know about? Roxbury,” repeated Mr Snow, with a puzzled look. “But it seems to me I thought I heard different. I don’t seem to understand.”

He looked anxiously into the face of his wife as though she could help him.

“That’s not to be wondered at,” said she, smiling. “It seems Miss Graeme herself has been taken by surprise. But she is well pleased for all that. Harry has been in no great hurry, I think.”

“But that ain’t just as I understood it,” persisted Mr Snow. “What does Rose say? She told me this afternoon, when we were riding, something or other, but it sartain wa’n’t that.”

“It could hardly be that, since the letter came when you were away, and even Miss Graeme knew nothing of it till she got the letter,” said Mrs Snow, with some impatience.

“Rosie told me,” went on Mr Snow. “Here she is. What was it you were telling me this afternoon about—about our friend here?”

“Oh! I told you a great many things that it would not do to repeat,” and though Rose laughed, she reddened, too, and looked appealingly at Graeme.

“Wasn’t Roxbury the name of the lady, that you told me was—”

“Oh! Uncle Sampson! Never mind.”

“Dear me,” said Mrs Snow, “what need you make a mystery out of such plain reading. Miss Graeme has gotten a letter telling her that her brother Harry is going to be married; and what is there so wonderful about that?”

“Just so,” said Mr Snow. He did not understand it the least in the world, but he understood that, for some reason or other, Mrs Snow wanted nothing more said about it, so he meant to say no more; and, after a minute, he made Rose start and laugh nervously by the energy with which he repeated, “Just so;” and still he looked from Graeme to Mr Millar, as though he expected them to tell him something.

“Harry’s letter gives the news, and that is all,” said Graeme.

“But I cannot understand your surprise,” said Mr Millar, not to Mr Snow, but to Graeme. “I thought you must have seen it all along.”

“Did you see it all along?” asked Mr Snow, looking queer.

“I was in Harry’s confidence; but even if I had not been, I am sure I must have seen it. I almost think I knew what was coming before he knew it himself, at the very first.”

“The very first?” repeated Graeme. “When was that? In the spring? Before the time we went to Mrs Roxbury’s, on the evening of the Convocation?”

“Oh! yes! long before that—before Miss Rose came home from the West. Indeed, I think it was love at first sight, as far as Harry was concerned,” added Mr Millar, with an embarrassed laugh, coming suddenly to the knowledge of the fact that Mr Snow was regarding him with curious eyes. But Mr Snow turned his attention to Rose.

“What do you say to that?” asked he.

“I have nothing to say,” said Rose, pettishly. “I was not in Harry’s confidence.”

“So it seems,” said Mr Snow, meditatively.

“I am sure you will like her when you know her better,” said Mr Millar.

“Oh! if Harry likes her that is the chief thing,” said Rose, with a shrug. “It won’t matter much to the rest of us—I mean to Graeme and me.”

“It will matter very much to us,” said Graeme, “and I know I shall love her dearly, and so will you, Rosie, when she is our sister, and I mean to write to Harry to-morrow—and to her, too, perhaps.”

“She wants very much to know you, and I am sure you will like each other,” said Mr Millar looking deprecatingly at Rose, who was not easy or comfortable in her mind any one could see.

“Just tell me one thing, Rose,” said Mr Snow. “How came you to suppose that—”

But the question was not destined to be answered by Rose, at least not then. A matter of greater importance was to be laid before her, for the door opened suddenly, and Hannah put in her head.

“Where on earth did you put the yeast-jug, Rose? I have taken as many steps as I want to after it; if you had put it back in its place it would have paid, I guess. It would have suited me better, and I guess it would have suited better all round.”

Her voice betrayed a struggle between offended dignity and decided crossness. Rose was a little hysterical, Graeme thought, or she never would have laughed about such an important matter in Hannah’s face. For Hannah knew her own value, which was not small in the household, and she was not easily propitiated when a slight was given or imagined, as no one knew better than Rose. And before company, too!—company with whom Hannah had not been “made acquainted,” as Hannah, and the sisterhood generally in Merleville, as a rule, claimed to be. It was dreadful temerity on Rose’s part.

“Oh! Hannah, I forgot all about it.”

But the door was suddenly closed. Rose hastened after her in haste and confusion.

Mr Snow had been deeply meditating, and he was evidently not aware that anything particular had been happening, for he turned suddenly to Mr Millar, and said,—

“I understood that it was you who was—eh—who was—keeping company with Miss Roxbury?”

“Did you think so, Miss Elliott,” said Charlie, in some astonishment.

“Mr Snow,” said his wife, in a voice that brought him to her side in an instant. “You may have read in the Book, how there is a time to keep silence, as well as a time to speak, and the bairn had no thought of having her words repeated again, though she might have said that to you.”

She spoke very softly, so that the others did not hear, and Mr Snow would have looked penitent, if he had not looked so bewildered. Raising her voice a little, she added,—

“You might just go out, and tell Hannah to send Jabez over to Emily’s about the yeast, if she has taken too many steps to go herself; for Miss Rose is tired, and it is growing dark;—and besides, there is no call for her to go Hannah’s messages—though you may as well no’ say that to her, either.”

But the door opened, and Rose came in again.

“I can’t even find the jug,” she said, pretending great consternation. “And this is the second one I have been the death of. Oh! here it is. I must have left it here in the morning, and wee Rosie’s flowers are in it! Oh! yes, dear, I must go. Hannah is going, and I must go with her. She is just a little bit cross, you know. And, besides, I want to tell her the news,” and she went away.

Mr Snow, feeling that he had, in some way, been compromising himself, went and sat down beside his wife, to be out of the temptation to do it again, and Mr Millar said again, to Graeme, very softly this time,—

“Did you think so, Miss Elliott?”

Graeme hesitated.

“Yes, Charlie. I must confess, there did, more than once, come into my mind the possibility that Harry and his friend and partner might find themselves rivals for the favour of the sweet little Amy. But you must remember, that—”

But Charlie interrupted her, eagerly.

“And did—did your sister think so, too? No, don’t answer me—” added he, suddenly rising, and going first to the window to look out, and then, out at the door. In a little Graeme rose, and went out too, and followed him down the path, to the gate, over which he was leaning. There was no time to speak, however, before they heard the voices of Rose and Hannah, coming toward them. Hannah was propitiated, Graeme knew by the sound of her voice. Mr Millar opened the gate for them to pass, and Graeme said, “You have not been long, Rosie.”

“Are you here, Graeme,” said Rose, for it was quite dark, by this time. “Hannah, this is Mr Millar, my brother Harry’s friend and partner.” And then she added, with great gravity, according to the most approved Merleville formula of introduction, “Mr Millar, I make you acquainted with Miss Lovejoy.”

“I am pleased to make your acquaintance, Mr Millar. I hope I see you wed,” said Miss Lovejoy, with benignity. If Mr Millar was not quite equal to the occasion, Miss Lovejoy was, and she said exactly what was proper to be said in the circumstances, and neither Graeme nor Rose needed to say anything till they got into the house again.

“There! that is over,” said Rose, with a sigh of relief.

“The getting of the yeast?” said Graeme, laughing.

“Yes, and the pacification of Miss Lovejoy.”

It was not quite over, however, Graeme thought in the morning. For Rose seemed to think it necessary to give a good deal of her time to household matters, whether it was still with a view to the good humour of Hannah or not, was not easy to say. But she could only give a divided attention to their visitor, and to the account of all that he and Will had done and enjoyed together. Graeme and he walked up and down the garden for a while, and when Mrs Snow had risen, and was in the sitting-room, they came and sat down beside her, and, after a time, Rose came too. But it was Graeme who asked questions, and who drew Mr Millar out, to tell about their adventures, and misadventures, and how Will had improved in all respects, and how like his father all the old people thought him. Even Mrs Snow had more to say than Rose, especially when he went on to tell about Clayton, and the changes that had taken place there.

“Will fancied, before he went, that he remembered all the places distinctly; and was very loth to confess that he had been mistaken. I suppose, that his imagination had had as much to do with his idea of his native place, as his memory, and when, at last, we went down the glen where your mother used to live, and where he distinctly remembered going to see her with you, not long before you all came away, he acknowledged as much. He stepped across the burn at the widest part, and then he told me, laughing, that he had always thought of the burn at that place, as being about as wide as the Merle river, just below the mill bridge, however wide that may be. It was quite a shock to him, I assure you. And then the kirk, and the manse, and all the village, looked old, and small, and queer, when he came to compare them with the pictures of them he had kept in his mind, all these years. The garden he remembered, and the lane beyond it, but I think the only things he found quite as he expected to find them, were the laburnum trees, in that lane,” and on Charlie went, from one thing to another, drawn on by a question, put now and then by Graeme, or Mrs Snow, whenever he made a pause.

But all that was said need not be told here. By and by, he rose and went out, and when he came back, he held an open book on his hand, and on one of its open pages lay a spray of withered ivy, gathered, he said, from the kirkyard wall, from a great branch that hung down over the spot where their mother lay. And when he had laid it down on Graeme’s lap, he turned and went out again.

“I mind the spot well,” said Mrs Snow, softly.

“I mind it, too,” said Graeme.

Rose did not “mind” it, nor any other spot of her native land, nor the young mother who had lain so many years beneath the drooping ivy. But she stooped to touch with her lips, the faded leaves that spoke of her, and then she laid her cheek down on Graeme’s knee, and did not speak a word, except to say that she had quite forgotten all.

By and by, Mr Snow came in, and something was said about showing Merleville to their visitor, and so arranging matters that time should be made to pass pleasantly to him.

“Oh! as to that, he seems no’ ill to please,” said Mrs Snow. “Miss Graeme might take him down to the village to Mr Greenleaf’s and young Mr Merle’s, if she likes; but, as to letting him see Merleville, I think the thing that is of most importance is, that all Merleville should see him.”

“There is something in that. I don’t suppose Merleville is any more to him than any other place, except that Harry and the rest had their home here, for a spell. But all the Merleville folks will want to see him, I expect.”

Rose laughingly suggested that a town meeting should be called for the purpose.

“Well, I calculate that won’t be necessary. If he stays over Sunday, it will do as well. The folks will have a chance to see him at meeting, though, I suppose it won’t be best to tell him so, before he goes. Do you suppose he means to stay over Sunday, Rosie?”

“I haven’t asked him,” said Rose.

“It will likely depend on how he is entertained, how long he stays,” said Mrs Snow. “I daresay he will be in no hurry to get home, for a day or two. And Rosie, my dear, you must help your sister to make it pleasant for your brother’s friend.”

“Oh! he’s no’ ill to please, as you said yourself,” answered Rose.

It was well that he was not, or her failure to do her part in the way of amusing him, might have sooner fallen under general notice. They walked down to the village in the afternoon, first to Mr Merle’s, and then to Mr Greenleaf’s. Here, Master Elliott at once took possession of Rose, and they went away together, and nothing more was seen of them, till tea had been waiting for some time. Then they came in, and Mr Perry came with them. He stayed to tea, of course, and made himself agreeable, as he always did, and when they went home, he said he would walk with them part of the way. He had most of the talk to himself, till they came to the foot of the hill, when he bade them, reluctantly, good-night. They were very quiet the rest of the way, and when they reached home, the sisters went up-stairs at once together, and though it was quite dark, neither of them seemed in a great hurry to go down again.

“Rose,” said Graeme, in a little, “where ever did you meet Mr Perry this afternoon? And why did you bring him to Mr Greenleaf’s with you?”

“I did not bring him to Mr Greenleaf’s. He came of his own free will. And I did not meet him anywhere. He followed us down past the mill. We were going for oak leaves. Elliott had seen some very pretty ones there, and I suppose Mr Perry had seen them, too. Are you coming down, Graeme?”

“In a little. Don’t wait for me, if you wish to go.”

“Oh! I am in no haste,” said Rose, sitting down by the window. “What are you going to say to me, Graeme?”

But if Graeme had anything to say, she decided not to say it then.

“I suppose we ought to go down.”

Rose followed her in silence. They found Mr and Mrs Snow alone.

“Mr Millar has just stepped out,” said Mr Snow. “So you had the minister to-night, again, eh, Rosie? It seems to me, he is getting pretty fond of visiting, ain’t he?”

Rose laughed.

“I am sure that is a good thing. The people will like that, won’t they?”

“The people he goes to see will, I don’t doubt.”

“Well, we have no reason to complain. He has given us our share of his visits, always,” said Mrs Snow, in a tone that her husband knew was meant to put an end to the discussion of the subject. Graeme was not so observant, however.

“It was hardly a visit he made at Mr Greenleaf’s to-night. He came in just, before tea, and left when we left, immediately after. He walked with us to the foot of the hill.”

“He was explaining to Elliott and me the chemical change that takes place in the leaves, that makes the beautiful autumn colours we were admiring so much,” said Rose. “He is great in botany and chemistry, Elliott says.”

And then it came out how he had crossed the bridge, and found them under the oak trees behind the mill, and what talk there had been about the sunset and the leaves, and a good deal more. Mr Snow turned an amused yet doubtful look from her to his wife; but Mrs Snow’s closely shut lips said so plainly, “least said soonest mended,” that he shut his lips, too.

It would have been as well if Graeme had done so, also she thought afterwards; but she had made up her mind to say something to her sister that night, whether she liked it or not, and so standing behind her, as she was brushing out her hair, she said,—

“I think it was rather foolish in Mr Perry to come to Mr Greenleaf’s to-night, and to come away with us afterwards.”

“Do you think so?” said Rose.

“Yes. And I fancied Mr and Mrs Greenleaf thought so, too. I saw them exchanging glances more than once.”

“Did you? It is to be hoped the minister did not see them.”

“Merleville people are all on the watch—and they are so fond of talking. It is not at all nice, I think.”

“Oh, well, I don’t know. It depends a little on what they say,” said Rose, knotting up her hair. “And I don’t suppose Mr Perry will hear it.”

“I have commenced wrong,” said Graeme to herself. “But I must just say a word to her, now I have began. It was of ourselves I was thinking, Rose—of you, rather. And it is not nice to be talked, about. Rosie, tell me just how much you care about Mr Perry.”

“Tell me just how much you care about him, dear,” said Rose.

“I care quite enough for him, to hope that he will not be annoyed or made unhappy. Do you really care for him, Rosie?”

“Do you, Graeme?”

“Rose, I am quite in earnest. I see—I am afraid the good foolish man wants you to care for him, and if you don’t—”

“Well, dear—if I don’t?”

“If you don’t, you must not act so that he may fancy you do, Rose. I think there is some danger in his caring for you.”

“He cares quite as much for you as he cares for me, Graeme, and with better reason.”

“Dear, I have not thought about his caring for either of us till lately. Indeed, I never let the thought trouble me till last night, after Mr Millar came, and again, to-night. Rosie, you must not be angry with what I say.”

“Of course not. But I think you must dispose of Mr Perry, before you bring another name into your accusation; Graeme, dear, I don’t care a pin for Mr Perry, nor he for me, if that will please you. But you are not half so clever at this sort of thing as Harry. You should have began at once by accusing me of claiming admiration, and flirting, and all that. It is best to come to the point at once.”

“You said you would not be angry, Rose.”

“Did I? Well, I am not so sore about it as I was a minute ago. And what is the use of vexing one another. Don’t say any more to-night.”

Indeed, what could be said to Rose in that mood. So Graeme shut her lips, too.

In the mean time Mr Snow had opened his, in the privacy of their chamber.

“It begins to look a little like it, don’t it?” said he.

He got no answer.

“I’d a little rather it had been Graeme, but Rosie would be a sight better than neither of them.”

“I’m by no means sure of that,” said Mrs Snow, sharply. “Rosie’s no’ a good bairn just now, and I’m no’ weel pleased with her.”

“Don’t be hard on Rosie,” said Mr Snow, gently.

“Hard on her! You ought to have more sense by this time. Rosie’s no’ thinking about the minister, and he hasna been thinking o’ her till lately—only men are such fools. Forgive me for saying it about the minister.”

“Well, I thought, myself, it was Graeme for a spell, and I’d a little rather it would be. She’s older, and she’s just right in every way. It would be a blessing to more than the minister. It seems as though it was just the right thing. Now, don’t it?”

“I canna say. It is none the more likely to come to pass because of that, as you might ken yourself by this time,” said his wife, gravely.

“Oh, well, I don’t know about that. There’s Aleck and Emily.”

“Hoot, fie, man! They cared for one another, and neither Miss Graeme, nor her sister, care a penny piece for yon man—for the minister, I mean.”

“You don’t think him good enough,” said Mr Snow, discontentedly.

“Nonsense! I think him good enough for anybody that will take him. He is a very good man—what there is o’ him,” added she, under her breath. “But it will be time enough to speak about it, when there is a chance of its happening. I’m no weel pleased with Rosie. If it werena that, as a rule, I dinna like to meddle with such matters, I would have a word with her myself. The bairn doesna ken her ain mind, I’m thinking.”

The next day was rainy, but not so rainy as to prevent Mr Snow from fulfilling his promise to take Mr Millar to see some wonderful cattle, which bade fair to make Mr Nasmyth’s a celebrated name in the county, and before they came home again, Mrs Snow took the opportunity to say a word, not to Rose, but to Graeme, with regard to her.

“What ails Rosie at your brother’s partner, young Mr Millar?” asked she. “I thought they would have been friends, having known one another so long.”

“Friends!” repeated Graeme. “Are they not friends? What makes you speak in that way, Janet?”

“Friends they are not,” repeated Mrs Snow, emphatically. “But whether they are less than friends, or more, I canna weel make out. Maybe you can help me, dear.”

“I cannot, indeed,” said Graeme, laughing a little uneasily. “I am afraid Charlie’s visit is not to give any of us unmingled pleasure.”

“It is easy seen what she is to him, poor lad, and I canna but think—my dear, you should speak to your sister.”

“But, Janet, Rosie is not an easy person to speak to about some things. And, besides, it is not easy to know whether one may not do harm, rather than good, by speaking. I did speak to her last night about—about Mr Perry.”

“About the minister! And what did she answer? She cares little about him, I’m thinking. It’s no’ pretty in her to amuse herself so openly at his expense, poor man, though there’s some excuse, too—when he shows so little discretion.”

“But, amusing herself, Janet! That is rather hard on Rosie. It is not that, I think.”

“Is it not? What is it, then? The bairn is not in earnest. I hope it may all come to a good ending.”

“Oh! Janet! I hope it may. But I don’t like to think of endings. Rosie must belong to some one else some day, I suppose. The best thing I can wish for her is that I may lose her—for her sake, but it is not a happy thing to think of for mine.”

“Miss Graeme, my dear, that is not like you.”

“Indeed, Janet, it is just like me. I can’t bear to think about it. As for the minister—” Graeme shrugged her shoulders.

“You needna trouble yourself about the minister, my dear. It will no’ be him. If your friend yonder would but take heart of grace—I have my own thoughts.”

“Oh! I don’t know. We need not be in a hurry.”

“But, dear, think what you were telling me the other day, about your sister going out by herself to seek her fortune. Surely, that would be far worse.”

“But she would not have to go by herself. I should go with her, and Janet, I have sometimes the old dread of change upon me, as I used to have long ago.”

“But, my dear, why should you? All the changes in our lot are in good hands. I dinna need to tell you that after all these years. And as for the minister, you needna be afraid for him.”

Graeme laughed; and though the entrance of Rose prevented any more being said, she laughed again to herself, in a way to excite her sister’s astonishment.

“I do believe Janet is pitying me a little, because of the minister’s inconstancy,” she said to herself. “Why am I laughing at it, Rosie? You must ask Mrs Snow.”

“My dear, how can I tell your sister’s thoughts? It is at them, she is laughing, and I think the minister has something to do with it, though it is not like her, either, to laugh at folk in an unkindly way.”

“It is more like me, you think,” said Rose, pouting. “And as for the minister, she is very welcome to him, I am sure.”

“Nonsense, Rose! Let him rest. I am sure Deacon Snow would think us very irreverent to speak about the minister in that way. Tell me what you are going to do to-day?”

Rosie had plenty to do, and by and by she became absorbed in the elaborate pattern which she was working on a frock for wee Rosie, and was rather more remiss than before, as to doing her part for the entertainment of their guest. She had not done that from the beginning, but her quietness and preoccupation were more apparent, because the rain kept them within doors. Graeme saw it, and tried to break through it or cover it as best she might. Mrs Snow saw it, and sometimes looked grave, and sometimes amused, but she made no remarks about it. As for Mr Millar, if he noticed her silence and preoccupation, he certainly did not resent them, but gave to the few words she now and then put in, an eager attention that went far beyond their worth; and had she been a princess, and he but a humble vassal, he could not have addressed her with more respectful deference.

And so the days passed on, till one morning something was said by Mr Millar, about its being time to draw his visit to a close. It was only a word, and might have fallen to the ground without remark, as he very possibly intended it should do; but Mr Snow set himself to combat the idea of his going away so soon, with an energy and determination that brought them all into the discussion in a little while.

“Unless there is something particular taking you home, you may as well stay for a while longer. At any rate, it ain’t worth while to go before Sunday. You ought to stay and hear our minister preach, now you’ve got acquainted with him. Oughtn’t he, Graeme?”

Graeme smiled.

“Oh! yes, he ought to stay for so good a reason as that is.”

“There are worse preachers than Mr Perry,” said Mrs Snow, gravely.

“Oh! come now, mother. That ain’t saying much. There ain’t a great many better preachers in our part of the world, whatever they may be where you live. To be sure, if you leave to-night after tea, you can catch the night cars for Boston, and stay there over Sunday, and have your pick of some pretty smart men. But you’d better stay.—Not but what I could have you over to Rixford in time, as well as not, if it is an object to you. But you better stay, hadn’t he, girls? What do you say, Rose?”

“And hear Mr Perry preach? Oh! certainly,” said Rose, gravely.

“Oh! he will stay,” said Graeme, laughing, with a little vexation. “It is my belief he never meant to go, only he likes to be entreated. Now confess, Charlie.”

Chapter Forty Three.

“Eh, bairns! is it no’ a bonny day!” said Mrs Snow, breaking into Scotch, as she was rather apt to do when she was speaking to the sisters, or when a little moved. “I ay mind the first look I got o’ the hills ower yonder, and the kirk, and the gleam of the grave-stones, through the trees. We all came round the water on a Saturday afternoon like this; and Norman and Harry took turns in carrying wee Rosie, and we sat down here and rested ourselves, and looked ower yon bonny water. Eh, bairns! if I could have but had a glimpse of all the years that have been since then, of all the ‘goodness and mercy’ that has passed before us, now my thankless murmurs, and my unbelieving fears would have been rebuked!”

They were on their way up the hill to spend the afternoon at Mr Nasmyth’s, and Mr Millar was with them. Nothing more had been said about his going away, and if he was not quite content to stay, “his looks belied him,” as Miss Lovejoy remarked to herself, as she watched them, all going up the hill together. They were going very slowly, because of Mrs Snow’s lingering weakness. One of the few of the “Scotch prejudices!” that remained with her after all these years, was the prejudice in favour of her own two feet, as a means of locomotion, when the distance was not too great; and rather to the discontent of Mr Snow, she had insisted on walking up to the other house, this afternoon.

“It is but a step, and it will do me no harm, but good, to go with the bairns,” said she, and she got her own way.

It was a “bonny day,” mild, bright, and still. The autumnal beauty of the forests had passed, but the trees were not bare, yet, though October was nearly over; and, now and then, a brown leaf fell noiselessly through the air, and the faint rustle it made as it touched the many which had gone before it, seemed to deepen the quiet of the time. They had stopped to rest a little at the turn of the road, and were gazing over the pond to the hills beyond, as Mrs Snow spoke.

“Yes, I mind,” said Graeme.

“And I mind, too,” said Rose, softly.

“It’s a bonny place,” said Mrs Snow, in a little, “and it has changed but little in all those years. The woods have gone back a little on some of the hills; and the trees about the village and the kirkyard have grown larger and closer, and that is mostly all the changes.”

“The old meeting-house has a dreary look, now that it is never used,” said Rose, regretfully.

“Ay, it has that. I mind thinking it a grand and stately object, when I first saw it from the side of the water. That was before I had been in it, or very near it. But I learnt to love it for better things than stateliness, before very long. I was ill-pleased when they first spoke of pulling it down, but, as you say, it is a dreary object, now that it is no longer used, and the sooner it goes the better.”

“Yes, a ruin to be an object of interest, should be of grey stone, with wallflowers and ivy growing over it,” said Graeme.

“Yes, but this is not a country for ruins, and such like sorrowful things. The old kirk was good enough to worship in, to my thinking, for many a year to come; and the new one will ay lack something that the old one had, to you and me, and many a one besides; but the sooner the forsaken old place is taken quite away, the better, now.”

“Yes, there is nothing venerable in broken sashes, and fluttering shingles. But I wish they had repaired it for a while, or at any rate, built the new one on the same site. We shall never have any pleasant associations with the new red brick affair that the Merleville people are so proud of.”

And so they lingered and talked about many a thing besides the unsightly old meeting-house—things that had happened in the old time, when the bairns were young, and the world was to them a world in which each had a kingdom to conquer, a crown to win. Those happy, happy days!

“Oh! well,” said Mrs Snow, as they rose to go up the hill again, “it’s a bonny place, and I have learnt to love it well. But if any one had told me in those days, that the time would come, when this and no other place in the world would seem like home to me, it would have been a foolishness in my ears.”

“Ah! what a sad dreary winter that first one was to you, Janet, though it was so merry to the boys and me,” said Graeme. “It would have comforted you then, if you could have known how it would be with you now, and with Sandy.”

“I am not so sure of that, my dear. We are untoward creatures, at the best, and the brightness of to-day, would not have looked like brightness then. No love, the changes that seem so good and right to look back upon, would have dismayed me, could I have seen them before me. It is well that we must just live on from one day to another, content with what each one brings.”

“Ah! if we could always do that!” said Graeme, sighing.

“My bairn, we can. Though I mind, even in those old happy days, you had a sorrowful fashion of adding the morrow’s burden to the burden of to-day. But that is past with you now, surely, after all that you have seen of the Lord’s goodness, to you and yours. What would you wish changed of all that has come and gone, since that first time when we looked on the bonny hills and valleys of Merleville?”

“Janet,” said Graeme, speaking low, “death has come to us since that day.”

“Ay, my bairns! the death of the righteous, and, surely, that is to be grieved for least of all. Think of them all these years, among the hills of Heaven, with your mother and the baby she got home with her. And think of the wonderful things your father has seen, and of his having speech with David, and Paul, and with our Lord himself—”

Janet’s voice faltered, and Graeme clasped softly the withered hand that lay upon her arm, and neither of them spoke again, till they answered Sandy and Emily’s joyful greeting at the door.

Rose lingered behind, and walked up and down over the fallen leaves beneath the elms. Graeme came down again, there, and Mr Nasmyth came to speak to them, and so did Emily, but they did not stay long; and by and by Rose was left alone with Mr Millar, for the very first time during his visit. Not that she was really alone with him, for all the rest were still in the porch enjoying the mild air, and the bright October sunshine. She could join them in a moment, she thought, not that there was the least reason in the world for her wishing to do so, however. All this passed through her mind, as she came over the fallen leaves toward the gate on which Mr Millar was leaning; and then she saw that she could not so easily join the rest, at least, without asking him to let her pass. But, of course, there could be no occasion for that.

“How clearly we can see the shadows in the water,” said she, for the sake of saying something. “Look over yonder, at the point where the cedar trees grow low. Do you see?”

“Yes, I see,” said he, but he was not looking the way of the cedars. “Rose, do you know why I came here?”

Rose gave a startled glance towards the porch where they were all sitting so quietly.

“It was to bring us news of Will, wasn’t it? And to see Merleville?” said she.

Did she say it? Or had she only thought of it? She was not sure, a minute after, for Mr Millar went on as if he had heard nothing.

“I came to ask you to be my wife.”

Did this take her by surprise? or had she been expecting it all the time? She did not know. She was not sure; but she stood before him with downcast eyes, without a word.

“You know I have loved you always—since the night that Harry took me home with him. My fancy has never wandered from you, all these years. Rose, you must know I love you, dearly. I have only that to plead. I know I am not worthy of you, except for the love I bear you.”

He had begun quietly, as one begins a work which needs preparation, and strength, and courage, but his last words came between pauses, broken and hurriedly, and he repeated,—

“I know I am not worthy.”

“Oh! Charlie, don’t say such foolish words to me.” And Rose gave him a single glimpse of her face. It was only a glimpse, but his heart gave a great leap in his breast, and the hand that lay on the gate which separated them trembled, though Rose did not look up to see it.

“Rosie,” he whispered, “come down to the brook and show me Harry’s waterfall.”

Rose laughed, a little, uncertain laugh, that had the sound of tears in it; and when Charlie took her hand and put it within his arm, she did not withdraw it, and they went over the field together.

Graeme had been watching them from the porch, and as they passed out of sight, she turned her eyes toward Mrs Snow, with a long breath.

“It has come at last, Janet,” said she.

“I shouldna wonder, dear. But it is no’ a thing to grieve over, if it has come.”

“No. And I am not going to grieve. I am glad, even though I have to seek my fortune, all alone. But I have Will, yet,” added she, in a little. “There is no word of a stranger guest in his heart as yet. I am sure of Will, at least.”

Mrs Snow smiled and shook her head.

“Will’s time will come, doubtless. You are not to build a castle for yourself and Will, unless you make room for more than just you two in it, dear.”

Emily listened, smiling.

“It would be as well to leave the building of Will’s castle to himself,” said she.

“Ah! yes, I suppose so,” said Graeme, with a sigh. “One must build for one’s self. But, Emily, dear, I built Rosie’s castle. I have wished for just what is happening over yonder among the pine trees, for a long long time. I have been afraid, now and then, of late, that my castle was to tumble down about my ears, but Charlie has put his hand to the work, now, in right good earnest, and I think my castle will stand.”

“See here, Emily,” said Mr Snow, coming in an hour or two later, “if Mr Millar thinks of catching the cars for Boston, this evening, you’ll have to hurry up your tea.”

“But he has no thought of doing any such foolish thing,” said Mrs Snow. “Dear me, a body would think you were in haste to get quit of the young man, with your hurry for the tea, and the cars for Boston.”

“Why no, mother, I ain’t. He spoke about it this morning, himself, or I’m pretty sure I shouldn’t. I’ll be glad to have him stay, and more than glad.”

“He is going to stay and hear the minister preach,” said Graeme. “You know you asked him, and I’m sure he will enjoy it.”

“He is a good preacher,” said Mr Snow, gravely.

“And he’s a good practiser, which is far better,” said his wife. “But I doubt, deacon, you’ll need to put him out of your head now. Look down yonder, and tell me if you think Rosie is likely to bide in Merleville.”

And the deacon, looking, saw Mr Millar and Rose coming slowly up the path together, and a duller man than Mr Snow could hardly have failed to see how matters stood between them. Mr Millar was looking down on the blushing face of his companion with an air alike happy and triumphant, and, as for Rose, Mr Snow had never seen her look at all as she was looking at that moment.

“Well,” said his wife, softly.

“Well it is as pretty a sight as one need wish to see,” said Mr Snow. He nodded his head a great many times, and then, without a word, turned his eyes on Graeme.

His wife smiled.

“No, I am afraid not. Every one must build his own castle, as I heard her saying—or was it Emily? this very afternoon. But we needna trouble ourselves about what may come to pass, or about what mayna. It is all in good hands.”

“And, Rosie dear, all this might have happened at Norman’s last year, if only Charlie had been bolder, and Harry not so wise.”

The sisters were in their own room together. A good deal had been said before this time that need not be repeated. Graeme had made her sister understand how glad she was for her sake, and had spoken kind, sisterly words about Charlie, and how she would have chosen him for a brother out of all the world, and more of the same kind; and, of course, Rose was as happy, as happy could be. But when Graeme said this, she turned round with a very grave face.

“I don’t know, Graeme. Perhaps it might; but I am not sure. I did not know my own mind then, and, on the whole, it is better as it is.”

“Harry will be glad,” said Graeme. Indeed, she had said that before.

Rose laughed.

“Dear, wise Harry! He always said Charlie was pure gold.”

“And so he is,” said Graeme.

“I know it, Graeme; and he says he is not good enough for me.” And Rose laid down her cheek upon her sister’s lap, with a little sob. “Ah! if he only knew, I am afraid—”

“Dear, it is the humility of true love, as you said about Harry. You love one another, and you need not be afraid.”

They were silent for a long time after that, and then Rose said, flushing a little,—

“And, Graeme, dear, Charlie says—but I promised not to tell—”

“Well, you must not, then,” said Graeme, smiling, with just a little throb of pain at her heart, as it came home to her that now, Rose, and her hopes and fears, and little secrets belonged more to another than to her.

“Not that it is a secret, Graeme,” said her sister, eagerly.

“It is something that Charlie has very much at heart, but I am not so sure myself. But it is nothing that can be spoken about yet. Graeme, Charlie thinks there is nobody in the world quite so good as you.”

Graeme laughed.

“Except you, Rosie.”

“I am not good, Graeme, but very foolish and naughty, often, as you know. But I will try and be good, now, indeed I will.”

“My darling,” murmured Graeme, “I am so glad for you—so glad and thankful. We ought to be good. God has been very good to us all.”

Of course all this was not permitted to shorten the visit of the sisters to their old friend. Mr Millar went away rather reluctantly, alone, but the Winter had quite set in before they went home. Mrs Snow was well by that time, as well as she ever expected to be in this world, and she bade them farewell with a good hope that she might see them again.

“But, whether or not,” said she, cheerfully, “I shall ay be glad and thankful for the quiet time we have had together. There are few who can say of those they love, that they wish nothing changed in their life or their lot; but I do say that of all your father’s bairns. No’ but that there may be some crook in the lot of one or other of you, that I canna see, and maybe some that I can see; but when the face is set in the right airt (direction) all winds waft onward, and that, I trust, is true of you all. And, Rosie, my dear, it takes a steady hand to carry a full cup, as I have told you, many a time; and mind, my bairn, ‘Except the Lord build the house, they labour in vain that build it,’ and, ‘the foundation of God standeth sure.’ Miss Graeme, my dear, ‘They that wait on the Lord shall renew their strength,’ as you have learnt yourself long syne. God bless you both, and farewell.”