nd all. Graeme, won't you
give us this little girl?"

Graeme smiled.

"Yes. On one condition--if you will take me too."

Mr Snow shook his head.

"I am afraid that would bring us no nearer the end. We should have
other conditions to add to that one."

"Yes," said Arthur, laughing. "You would have to take Fanny and me, as
well, in that case. I don't object to your having one of them at a
time, now and then, but both of them--that would never do."

"But it must be both or neither," said Graeme, eagerly, "I couldna'
trust Rosie away from me. I havena these sixteen years--her whole life,
have I, Janet? If you want Rosie, you must have me, too."

She spoke lightly, but earnestly; she meant what she said. Indeed, so
earnest was she, that she quite flushed up, and the tears were not far
away. The others saw it, and were silent, but Fanny who was not quick
at seeing things, said,--

"But what could we do without you both? That would not be fair--"

"Oh! you would have Arthur, and Arthur would have you. At any rate,
Rosie is mine, and I am not going to give her to any one who won't have
me, too. She is all I shall have left when Will goes away."

"Graeme would not trust Rosie with Arthur and me," said Fanny, a little
pettishly. "There are so many things that Graeme don't approve of. She
thinks we would spoil Rose."

Janet's hand touched hers, whether by accident or design Graeme did not
know, but it had the effect of checking the response that rose to her
lips, and she only said, laughingly,--

"Mrs Snow thinks that you and Arthur are spoiling us both, Fanny."

Janet smiled fondly and gravely at the sisters, as she said, stroking
Graeme's bowed head,--

"I dare say you are no' past spoiling, either of you, but I have seen
worse bairns."

After this, Mr Snow and Will began the survey of Canada in earnest.
First they went to Quebec, where they lingered several days. Then they
went farther down the river, and up the Saguenay, into the very heart of
the wilderness. This part of the trip Will enjoyed more than his
friend, but Mr Snow showed no sign of impatience, and prolonged their
stay for his sake. Then they went up the country, visiting the chief
towns and places of interest. They did not confine themselves, however,
to the usual route of travellers, but went here and there in wagons and
stages, through a farming country, in which, though Mr Snow saw much to
criticise, he saw more to admire.