when he did not find her in her parlour, she came down, affecting
surprise.

"So you are here at last, Harry? Are there any letters to-night?"

Yes, there were letters. Harry had read his, and gave them the news
with a little grumbling, while the gas was being lighted. His friend
and partner seemed intent on making the most of his long delayed
holiday, and was going to lengthen it a little, by taking a run to
Paris, perhaps even to Rome.

"With whom do you think, Graeme?" added he, his face clearing up
suddenly. "With his brother Allan, and our Will. Won't they help one
another to have a good time? Charlie takes it quite coolly, however, I
must say. It was an even chance, at one time, whether he would go at
all, and now, there is no telling when he will be back again. That is
always the way. I wonder when I shall have my holiday? `The willing
horse,' you know, Rosie."

"It is very hard on you, Harry, dear. But I fancied you had a little
trip yourself, lately, and enjoyed it, too. Was that in the interest of
your friend?"

"Hem! Yes--indirectly. I did enjoy it. Fanny says she has had a very
pleasant summer; and, if you are going down at all, Rosie, it is time
you were going. They seem to have a very nice set of people there. I
think if you were to go at once, I would take a run down with you--next
week, perhaps. I think you would enjoy it."

"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