ld gentleman; indeed, he
would have been very ungrateful if he had not been, for it was
impossible that any one could have been treated with more kindness and
liberality than he was by Sir Charles. It was but the week before, that
he had expressed a wish to travel on the continent, and Sir Charles had
immediately given his consent that he should remain abroad, if he
pleased, for two years. When he approved, however, of Alexander's
plans, he had made a remark as to his own age and infirmity, and the
probable chance that they might not meet again in this world; and this
remark of his grand-uncle left such an impression upon Alexander, that
he almost repented having made the request, and had been ever since in a
state of indecision as to whether he should avail himself of his
grand-uncle's kindness and disregard of self, shown towards him in thus
having granted his permission.

The conversation with Sir Charles had brought up a new idea in his mind;
he had witnessed the anxiety and longing which his good old relation had
shown about the fate of his daughter; he had heard from his own lips how
long the ignorance of her fate had preyed upon his mind, and that to be
satisfied on this point was the one thing wanting to enable the old man
to die happy,--to permit him to say with sincerity, "Lord, now lettest
thou thy servant depart in peace." Why, then, should he not go to
discover the truth? It would not, perhaps, occupy him so long as the
two years of travelling on the continent, which had been consented to by
his grand-uncle, and, instead of travelling for his own pleasure, he
might be the means of satisfying the mind and quieting the anxiety of
one who had been so kind to him. Indeed, he should actually prefer a
journey into the interior of Africa to a mere sojourn of some time on
the continent; the very peril and danger, the anticipation of distress
and hardship, were pleasing to his high and courageous mind, and before
he fell asleep Alexander had made up his mind that he would propose the
expedition, and if he could obtain his uncle's permission would proceed
upon it forthwith. Having come to this resolution, he fell fast asleep
and dreamed away, till eight o'clock in the morning, that he was hunting
elephants and having hand-to-hand conflicts with every variety of beast
with which he had peopled Africa in his fancy. When he was called up in
the morning, he found his determination of the night before rather
streng