rom a boy, that he had been a horrid little wretch for saying what he
did, and asking whether it had not been a great bore; indeed, he
behaved all the better instead of the worse for some little time, dear
fellow.

But he was too big and strong to tie to one's apron-string, and his
greatest pleasure was in being with Trevor. I think Trevor's own
influence never did any harm. Poor Joel Lea had trained him well, and
he was a conscientious, good boy, who often hindered Alured from
insubordination; but the attraction to Spinney Lawn was a mischievous
thing--for there was no doubt that the heads of the family would set
him against us if they could.

So Fulk thought it wiser to send him to school, since he was learning
nothing properly at home, and only getting more disobedient and unruly.

Immediately Trevor Lea was sent to the same school, to the boys' great
delight. They cared little that Trevor was placed nearly at the top
and Trevorsham at the bottom of the little preparatory school. They
held together just as much, and Alured came home wonderfully improved
and delightfully good, but more than ever inseparable from Trevor.

In the meantime Francis Dayman had come to pay his sister a visit. He
had made some fortunate speculations, and had come on to be a merchant
of considerable wealth and weight in the Hudson's Bay Company.

A handsome man of a good deal of strength and force he seemed to be,
and Perrault had certainly been wise in securing his prize before
Hester had such a guardian.

He was an open, straight-forward man, with a fresh breath of the forest
about him; successful beyond all his hopes, and full of activity. He
took to Fulk, and seemed to have a strong fellow-feeling for us.

But little had Fulk expected to be made the confidant of his vehement
admiration for Emily Deerhurst. The gentle lady-like girl impressed
the backwoodsman in a wondrous manner. It seemed to him, as if his
wealth would have real value, if he could pour it all out on her.

And her mother encouraged him. Emily was six years older than when she
had cast off Fulk, and there was a pale changed look about her; and the
rich Canadian, who could buy a baronetcy, and do anything she asked,
tempted Mrs. Deerhurst.

Though, as Fulk said bitterly, if the stain on his birth was all the
cause of the utter withdrawal, was it not the same with Francis Dayman?
Only in his case it was gilded!

Dayman knew nothing of this former affair.