ave never for a moment thought of such a
thing. The expense would put it quite out of the question, even if
there were no other reasons against it."

"Indeed, then I must have misunderstood you when I fancied I heard you
say how much you would like to go. I thought you longed for a chance to
see Scotland again."

"I daresay you heard me say something of the kind. I should like to
visit Scotland very much, and other countries, too. And I intend to do
so when I have made my fortune," added she, laughing.

"Or, when some one has made it for you; that would do as well, would it
not?" asked Mrs Grove.

"Oh, yes! a great deal better. When some one makes my fortune for me, I
shall visit Europe. I think I may promise that."

"Have you ever been West, yet, Miss Elliott? You spoke of going at one
time, I remember," said Mr Green.

"Never yet. All my travelling has been done at the fireside. I have
very much wished to visit my brother Norman. I daresay Rose and I will
find ourselves there some day," added she, turning to Mr Snow.

"Unless we keep you in Merleville," said he, smiling.

"Oh! well, I am very willing to be kept there on certain conditions you
know."

"How do you suppose Fanny could ever do without you?" asked Mrs Grove,
reproachfully.

"Oh! she would miss us, I daresay. But I don't think we are absolutely
necessary to her happiness."

"Of course, she will have to lose you one of these days. We cannot
expect that you will devote yourself to your brothers always, I know."

"Especially as they don't stand in particular need of my devotion," said
Graeme stiffly, as she offered her arm to Mrs Snow. "Let us walk,
again. What can Will and the children be doing? Something
extraordinary, if one may judge by the noise."

Mrs Grove rose to go with them, but lingered a moment behind to remark
to Mr Snow on the exceeding loveliness of Miss Elliott's disposition
and character, her great superiority to young ladies in general, and
especially on the devotion so apparent in all her intercourse with her
old friend.

"And with you, too," she added; "I scarcely can say which she honours
most, or on which she most relies for counsel."

"There," said she to herself, as she followed the others down the walk,
"I have given him an opening, if he only has the sense to use it. One
can see what _he_ wants easily enough, and if he knows what is for his
advantage he will get the good word of his countryman, and h