f it.

But such news was already in town as to put to flight, for a time at
least, the last remnants of coquetry.

Robert was in the house early in the morning, and called Miss Charlecote
to speak to him in the study. He had a packet of letters in his hand, of
which he gave one to herself, a long one in Owen's writing, but
unfinished and undirected.

'Lakeville, Newcastle District, August 14th.

'MY DEAR HONOR,

'There is no saying how much I rejoice that I can write to you and
Lucy again under the same roof. I hope soon to see you together
again, and revive old times, but we are delayed by the discovery that
the swamp lying full in the Grand Ottawa and Superior Line is
impracticable, and would not only be the death of all the navvies
employed thereon, but would swallow bodily the funds of the G. O. and
S. Company. So we are carrying our survey in other directions,
before making out our report, after which I hope to be permanently
engaged on the construction. This will give me three months to spend
at home, in knitting up old links, and considering how to dispose of
my poor little encumbrance till I can set him to make his way here.
You or Lucy would perhaps look out for some lady who takes Indian
children, or the like. I am my own man now, and can provide the
wherewithal, for my personal expenses are small, and engineering is
well paid. Lucy must not think of bringing him out, for even at her
fastest the Far West would be no place for her. Let her think of
Glendalough, and realize that if she were here she would look back on
it as a temple of comfort, civilization, and civility, and this place
is the last attempt at social habitation for 200 and odd miles. It
stands on a lake of its own, with an Indian name, "which no man can
speak and no man can spell." It is colonial to the highest degree,
and inhabited by all denominations, chiefly agreed in worshipping us
as priests of the G. O. and S. Line, which is to make their fortune;
and for their manners, least said soonest mended, though there are
some happy exceptions, French Canadian, Lowland Scots, etc. and a
wiry hard-working parson, whose parish extends nearly to Lake
Superior, and whose remaining aroma of University is refreshing.
There is also a very nice young lad, whose tale may be a moving
example of wh