savages were
among the worst of the pitiable specimens of the effect of contact with
the most evil side of civilization. To them, as Owen wrote, a missionary
was only a white man who gave no brandy, and the rest of his parishioners
were their obdurate, greedy, trading tempters! It had been a shame to
send him to such a hopeless set, when there were others on whom his toils
would not be thrown away. However, he should do his best.

And Honor went on expecting the wonders his best would work, only the
more struck with admiration by hearing that the locality was a swamp of
luxuriant vegetation, and equally luxuriant fever and ague; and the
letter he wrote thence to her mother on the news of their loss did her
more good than all Humfrey's considerate kindness.

Next, he had had the ague, and had gone to Toronto for change of air.
Report spoke of Mr. Sandbrook as the most popular preacher who had
appeared in Toronto for years, attracting numbers to his pulpit, and
sending them away enraptured by his power of language. How beautiful
that a man of such talents, always so much stimulated by appreciation,
should give up all this most congenial scene, and devote himself to his
obscure mission!

Report said more, but Honora gave it no credit till old Mr. Sandbrook
called one morning in Woolstone-lane, by his nephew's desire, to announce
to his friends that he had formed an engagement with Miss Charteris, the
daughter of a general officer there in command.

Honor sat out all the conversation; and Mrs. Charlecote did not betray
herself; though, burning with a mother's wrath, she did nothing worse
than hope they would be happy.

Yet Honor had not dethroned the monarch of her imagination. She
reiterated to herself and to her mother that she had no ground of
complaint, that it had been understood that the past was to be forgotten,
and that Owen was far more worthily employed than in dwelling on them.
No blame could attach to him, and it was wise to choose one accustomed to
the country and able to carry out his plans. The personal feeling might
go, but veneration survived.

Mrs. Charlecote never rested till she had learnt all the particulars. It
was a dashing, fashionable family, and Miss Charteris had been the gayest
of the gay, till she had been impressed by Mr. Sandbrook's ministrations.
From pope to lover, Honor knew how easy was the transition; but she
zealously nursed her admiration for the beauty, who was exchanging