and the
bonnie house that once was their home; but it was bold and hopeful
throughout. The general had heard of all Jack's doings, and was proud of
such a son. He concluded with a fatherly blessing, bidding him never
forget he was a Grant Mackenzie.

Then he opened Flora's letter. Sisterly throughout. She was as happy at
Torquay as she could expect to be, but longed--oh so much--to see her
dear brother once more. Then she went on to talk of old times, and how
happy they would be when they were all together once again. So it
concluded, without one word about Gerty.

He laid the letter down with a sigh. A strange sense of loneliness, of
forsakenness, took possession of his heart. He thought he had forgotten
his false love. At this moment she seemed dearer to him than ever.

He next took slowly up from the table a letter in a strange, ill-spelt,
scrawly hand, and opened it mechanically. But his face brightened as he
began to read. I append a portion of it with a few corrections:--

"MY DEAR LUV,--Which it is me as misses you. Yes, Master Jack, me
and missus too, though you promised to marry me when you grew a
man, and used to give me such sweet kisses. Oh, I wish I had some
now! I know'd as that was only Jack's little joke. Me a servant
girl, and you a big, tall, beautiful officer. But, la! the larks as
we used to 'ave when putting you to bed. It makes me larf now to
think of 'em; and how you wouldn't go to sleep till I lay down
beside you and sung you off. Yes, missus misses you, and so do I.
And poor old Sir Digby has been laid up with the gout; and poor
dear missus says as how she won't marry him for two years yet to
come. And old master's content because he says he knows she'll be
Lady Digby by-and-by. But missus she do look so sad and peaky
sometimes; only when old Mr. Richards comes she just goes wild with
joy, and sits on his knee just like old times, and sometimes, poor
child, goes to sleep with her head on his shoulder. But here comes
missus, only she mustn't see this letter. No more at present, but
remains yours till death, with luv and sweet kisses.--MARY."

Love and sweet kisses, indeed! Jack laughed aloud. Then he read Mary's
letter all over again. Then, will it be believed? he kissed it. After
this, can you credit it? he placed it in his bosom. What did Jack mean,
I wonder?

The next letter was a right hearty one, from