was the only girl among the
eight, and a womanly little thing even then. You should hear her talk
about her little business matters. My dear Mrs Nasmyth, you need not
be afraid of my being extravagant, with such a careful little woman to
call me to account.

"I have a great mind to send her home to you in the spring, Graeme. It
seems very sad for a child like her to be growing up with no other home
but a school. She seems happy enough, however."

"And would she like to come?"

"She says she wouldn't; but, of course, she would like it, if she were
once here. I must see about it in the spring."

The wedding-day came, and in spite of many efforts to prevent it, it was
rather a sad day to them all. It found Janet still "in a swither." She
could not divest herself of the idea that she was forsaking "the
bairns."

"And, Oh! Miss Graeme, my dear, if it werena for the thought of seeing
my mother and Sandy, my heart would fail me quite. And are you quite
sure that you are pleased now, dear?"

"Janet, it was because I was selfish that I wasna pleased from the very
first; and you are not really going away from us, only just down the
brae."

Graeme did not look very glad, however. But if the wedding-day was
rather sad, Thanksgiving-day, that soon followed, was far otherwise. It
was spent at the Deacon's. Miss Lovejoy distinguished herself forever
by her chicken-pies and fixings. Mr and Mrs Snow surpassed themselves
as host and hostess; and even the minister was merry with the rest.
Emily was at home for the occasion; and though at first she had been at
a loss how to take the change, Menie's delight decided her, and she was
delighted, too.

They grew quiet in the evening but not sad. Seated around the fire in
the parlour, the young people spoke much of the time of their coming to
Merleville. And then, they went further back, and spoke about their old
home, and their mother, and their long voyage on the "Steadfast."

"I wonder what has become of Allan Ruthven," said Marian. "It's strange
that you have never seen him, Arthur."

"I may have seen him twenty times without knowing him. You mind, I was
not on the `Steadfast' with you."

"But Harry saw him; and, surely, he could not have changed so much but
that he would know him now if he saw him."

"And do you know no one of the name?" asked Graeme.

"I have heard of several Ruthvens in Canada West. And the house of
Elphinstone and Gilchrist have a West