on his own account, on an estate that his uncle had purchased
for him, came for the first time on a visit from the Dominion--tall,
broad, bearded, handsome, and manly, above all, in his courtesy and
gentleness to the sick sister who valued his strong and tender help more
than any other care. Mary came with her husband and boy from Northmoor
for the farewell. When Ida tearfully asked her forgiveness, the injury
was so entirely past that it was not hard to say, in the spirit of
Joseph--

'Oh, my poor child, do not think of that! No one has suffered from it so
much as you have. It really did Michael no harm at all, only making a
little man of him; and as to Herbert, his going out was the best thing in
the world for him, dear, noble, generous fellow. And after all, Ida,'
she added, presently, 'I do believe you had rather be as you are now than
the girl you were then?'

'Oh, Aunt Mary, it is what Uncle Frank and you are--that--makes one
feel--'

Ida could say no more. She once saw Michael's bright boyish face awed
into pity, and had the kiss that sealed her earthly pardon, unconscious
as he was of the evil she had attempted. There was the pledge of higher
pardon, before her uncle and aunt left her to those nearer who could
minister to her as she went down to the River ever flowing.

Before that time, however, Herbert had made known to Rose one of his
great reasons for settling in Canada, namely, that he meant to take her
back with him. He had told his uncle long ago, and Mrs. Alder was quite
ready and eager to welcome her as a cousin. Even Mr. Rollstone could
hardly have objected under these circumstances, and Rose only doubted
about leaving her mother. It presently appeared, however, that Mrs.
Morton wished to remain with Mrs. Rollstone. Westhaven was more to her
than any other place, and her vanity had so entirely departed that she
could best take comfort in her good old friend's congenial society.
Constance offered to remain and obtain some daily governess or high
school employment there; but it was to her relief that she found that the
two old ladies did not wish it. There was a sense that her tastes and
habits were so unlike theirs that they would always feel her to be like
company and be on their best behaviour, and decidedly her mother would
not 'stand in her light,' and would be best contented with visits from
her and to Northmoor.

So, after the quietest of weddings in the beautiful St. James's Chur