d naturally led to discussions on the
advantages of emigration, the delights of clearing one's own
estate, building one's own house, and getting away from
conventional life with a few tried friends. Of course the
pictures which were painted included foregrounds with beautiful
children playing about the clearing, and graceful women, wives of
the happy squatters, flitting in and out of log houses and sheds,
clothed and occupied after the manner of our ideal grandmothers;
with the health and strength of Amazons, the refinement of
high-bred ladies, and wondrous skill in all domestic works,
confections, and contrivances. The log-houses would also contain
fascinating select libraries, continually reinforced from home,
sufficient to keep all the dwellers in the happy clearing in
communion with all the highest minds of their own and former
generations. Wonderous games in the neighbouring forest, dear old
home customs established and taking root in the wilderness, with
ultimate dainty flower gardens, conservatories, and
pianofortes--a millennium on a small scale, with universal
education, competence, prosperity, and equal rights! Such
castle-building, as an accompaniment to the hard exercise of
woodcraft, worked wonders for Tom in the next week, and may be
safely recommended to parties in like evil case with him.

But more practical discussions were not neglected, and it was
agreed that they should make a day at Englebourn together before
their return to Oxford, Hardy undertaking to invade the Rectory
with the view of re-establishing his friend's character there.

Tom wrote a letter to Katie to prepare her for a visit. The day
after the ancient elm was fairly disposed of, they started early
for Englebourn, and separated at the entrance to the
village--Hardy proceeding to the Rectory to fulfill his mission,
which he felt to be rather an embarrassing one, and Tom to look
after the constable, or whoever else could give him information
about Harry.

He arrived at the "Red Lion," their appointed trysting place,
before Hardy, and spent a restless half-hour in the porch and bar
waiting for his return. At last Hardy came, and Tom hurried him
into the inn's best room, where bread and cheese and ale awaited
them; and, as soon as the hostess could be got out of the room,
began impatiently--

"Well you have seen her?"

"Yes, I have come straight here from the Rectory."

"And is it all right, eh? Has she got my letter?"

"Yes, sh