tence the emphasis
had been given, or whether the smile meant that Principal Trenholme
could have proved his relationship had he chosen, or that he laughed at
the notion of there being any relationship at all. Captain Rexford
accordingly interpreted it just as suited his inclination, and mentioned
to another neighbour in the course of a week that his friend, the
Principal of the College, was a distant relative, by a younger branch
probably, of the Trenholmes of--, etc. etc., an item of news of which
the whole town took account sooner or later.

To Mrs. Rexford Trenholme was chiefly useful as a person of whom she
could ask questions, and she wildly asked his advice on every possible
subject. On account of Captain Rexford's friendly approval, and his
value to Mrs. Rexford as a sort of guide to useful knowledge on the
subject of Canada in general and Chellaston in particular, Robert
Trenholme soon became intimate, in easy Canadian fashion, with the
newcomers; that is, with the heads of the household, with the romping
children and the pretty babies. The young girls were not sufficiently
forward in social arts to speak much to a visitor, and with Sophia he
did not feel at all on a sure footing.

After this little conversation with Captain Rexford about his relatives,
and when Sophia had received the other children from the hands of Eliza
and repaired with them to the house door, Trenholme also took leave, and
rose to accompany her as far as the gate.

Sophia shivered a little when she stepped out upon the narrow wooden
gallery in front of the door.

The Rexford house was not situated in the midst of the farm, but between
the main road that ran out of the village and the river that here lay
for some distance parallel with the road. On the next lot of land stood
an empty house in the centre of a large deserted garden; and on the
other side of the road, about a quarter of a mile off, stood the college
buildings, which were plainly to be seen over flat fields and low log
fences. Beyond the college grounds were woods and pastures, and beyond
again rose Chellaston Mountain. This view was what Sophia and Trenholme
looked upon as they stood on the verandah; and all that they saw--field,
road, roof, tree, and hill--was covered with sparkling snow. It was a
week since the snow came, and Sophia still shivered a little whenever
she looked at it.

"I am sorry to see you do not look upon this scene as if it rejoiced
your heart," he