Year: 1878

session of one of the largest fortunes in the
State" Probably Mary was rather indiffer-
ent to this consolation. Yet poysrty would
have been grevious to her, inasmuch as she
had been accustomed to luxury all her life.


Her father had died away from home, and
it was owing to this that she had not been
with him during his final illness, or even
present at his funeral-a fact which took
very much from the reality of her loss, since
it had, so far, not broken upon the routine of
her life. A few days absence from the school
room, some consultation with her milliner and
dress-maker, and the substitution of black
for her ordinary dress-these we're the only
changes which had occurred to mark the
event, which, in the usual course of nature,
should have so profoundly touched her heart
and awakened her tenderest sensibilities.


She had decided that if Colonel Dacre, in
his new capacity of guardian, made no OBJ
lection to the plan, she would continue at
school, at least until the expiration of the
present term, and was only waiting to hear
from him before proffering request to be al
lowed to do so.


II wonder what sort of man he is" she
remarked. thoughtfuly, in continuation Of
her reioinder to her friends last speech.


II fancy he will be very indulgent and let
you do just as you please, said Miss St. Maur.
HE will hardly be such an old ogre as to
keep you secluded from all society, shut up
forever in his country house."


"Of course, do not care about society,
now," said Mary.


"Not now, of course; but you will some
time or other. And without wanting gay
company, you might still enjoy the compan-
ionship of some of your friends, occasionally"


"Oh yes, that would be different" Mary
assented. "Still, in another persons house,
I would not feel at liberty to make any sug-
gestions about inviting people"


"Not at first, certainly"


"If he makes any proposal of the kind, it
will be different"


"Oh yes, quite different and no doubt he
will" reioined Adelia, who felt that it was
not at all too early to lay the foundation of
such an invitation to herself "If he thinks
you desire it, am sure be ought to be glad
to crafty you"


81 have no fear that he will be otherwise
than kind" said Mary. 81 remember always
hearing him spoken of in the very highest
terms"


"Oh! yes you will he just like daug hter
to him. A real pet, as you ought to be- darl-
ing. Who could help being good to you =
said Adelia, with another caress.


IL don't know about that" said Mary.
because you are fond of me, that is no rea'
son why every one else should be. But you
may be sure, Delie, that if am allowed to
invite anybody to pay me visit, you will be
one of the first l shall ask"


"Thapk you, DEAR" replied Miss St. Maur.
II know you won't forget your poor old Delie,
though we shall be so far apart. Your heart
is too true one to change. Your letters will
be a great joy to me you know you promised
to write often"


"As often as I can but you know l am
not, usually, good correspondent BY the
way, 1 meant to ask you before, but forgot
are you not going home, after this term p


81 declare, Mary, l don't know that shall.
Mother doesn't seem anxious about tat
least, she doesn't urge it. l could do her no
good by being with her, and as long as | am
here can be improving myself in my studies.
I may find it necessary to turn my education
to account, one of these days, you know"


"But am sure you are thoroughly educa-
ted already-quite thoroughly enough to en-
able you to teach, if necessary. though hope
it will never be. should think it would be
such a comfort to your mother to have you
with her."


GAS to that, she is accustomed to my ab-
sence, and she always has some friend or other
near her. Poor mother, it's comfort to her
to feel that l am benefited by my stay here.
But wherever I am, Mary, don't forget to
write. I know, as you say, that you are not
a good correspondent, but it could not be an
effort to you to write to me" said Adelia, anx-
ious to turn the conversation into its former
channel, as the topic introduced by her friend
was not particularly agreeable one to her.
Her mother, who was in reduced circumstan-
ces, lived in a very humble way, in small
cottage, in a pineland settlement, and Adelia
had no fancy for returning to the seciusion of
her rural home.


About week after this dialogue took place,
Mary received letter from Colonel Dacre:
It was short but very kind, expressing hope
that the newly established relation between
them might prove one of mutual pleasure
and satisfaction, and begging to know her
wish in regard to her present movements.
Whenever she was ready to come to him, he
said her new home was waiting to receive her,
and he would himself travel to c. to fetch
her thither. Mary, of course, Immediately
replied and told him that if he did not object,
she would like to finish her present term at
Miss Anderson's, and would, at its expiration,
if be pleased, come to Mosslands.


It must be confessed that the Colonel was
not sorry, on receiving this reply, to find that
his solitude was not immediatel ly to be dis
turbed. AS to Mary, she went on TRANQUILITY
with her studies, thinking as little as possible
of the change which awaited her, and which
she was by no means eager to enter upon
She would, in truth, have preferred to remain
ovon 1onoor at school. but with the beginning
of the next term she would complete her sew
enteenth year-a period which had for some
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