can you be thinking of? Why upon
earth should I wish you anywhere else?"

"That you may manage my mother and her affairs all your own way, I
imagine."

Mrs Rowland had nothing to oppose to this plain speech but
exclamations. When she had exhausted all she could muster, she avowed
that the only consideration which could reconcile her to the sacrifice
of her dear brother's society was anxiety for his happiness.

"Then, supposing I am happiest here, we are all satisfied." And Uncle
Philip would have made a diversion from the path to give George his
favourite swing, quite up to the second branch of the great pear-tree.

"Pray let George swing himself for once, brother. Hold your tongue,
George! You are a very troublesome boy, and your uncle and I are busy.
It is about your own affairs, brother, that I want to open my mind to
you. As for your always remaining here, as you kindly hinted just
now--"

"I did not mean to hint," said Philip; "I thought I had spoken quite
plainly."

"Well, well. We all know how to appreciate the kindness of your
intentions, I am sure: but your happiness must not be sacrificed to the
good of any of us here. We can take care of one another: but, as it is
impossible that you should find a companion for life here, and as it is
time you were thinking of settling, we must not be selfish, and detain
you among us when you should be creating an interest elsewhere. Mr
Rowland and I are extremely anxious to see you happily married, brother;
and indeed we feel it is time you were thinking about it."

"I am glad of that, sister. I am somewhat of the same opinion myself."

"I rejoice to hear it," replied the lady, in a rather uneasy tone. "We
have been delighted to hear of these frequent visits of yours to the
Buchanans'. There is a strong attraction there, I fancy, Philip."

"Joe Buchanan is the attraction to me there. If you mean Caroline, she
has been engaged these three years to her brother's friend, Annesley."

"You do not say so! But you did not know it?"

"I have known it these two years, under the seal of secrecy. Ah!
sister, I have had many an hour's amusement at your schemes on my behalf
about Caroline Buchanan."

"I have been quite out, I see. When do you go to the Bruces', to make
the visit you were disappointed of at Christmas?"

"When they return from the Continent, where they are gone for three
years. Miss Mary is out of reach for three years, sister."

"Out of r