troopers down here in search of the king?"

"I wonder you have not had them already," replied Edward.

"And what shall we do if they arrive?"

"That is all prepared for," replied Edward; "although, till you
mentioned it, I had quite forgotten it. The Intendant was talking with
me on the subject last night, and here is an appointment for you as
verderer, signed by him, which you are to use as you may find necessary;
and here is another missive, ordering you to receive into your house two
of the troopers who may be sent down here, and find them quarters and
victuals, but not to be compelled to receive more. Until the search is
over, Chaloner and Grenville must retain their accoutrements and remain
with us: And, Humphrey, if you have not made any use of the clothes
which I left here--I mean the first dress I had made when I was
appointed secretary, and which I thought rather too faded to wear any
longer--I will put it on now, as, should any military come here as
scouters to the Intendant, I shall have some authority over them."

"It is in your chest, where you left it, Edward. The girls did propose
to make two josephs out of it for winter wear; but they never have
thought of it since, or have not had time. By the bye, you have not
told me what you think of Alice and Edith after your long absence."

"I think they are both very much grown and very much improved," replied
Edward, "but I must confess to you that I think it is high time that
they were, if possible, removed from their present homely occupations,
and instructed as young ladies should be."

"But how, Edward, is that to be?"

"That I cannot yet tell, and it grieves me that I cannot; but still I
see the necessity of it, if ever we are to return to our position in
society."

"And are we ever to return?"

"I don't know. I thought little of it before I went away and mixed in
society; but since I have been in the world I have been compelled to
feel that my dear sisters are not in their sphere, and I have resolved
upon trying if I cannot find a more suitable position for them. Had we
been successful I should have had no difficulty: but now I hardly know
what to do."

"I have not inquired about Mrs Patience, brother; how is she?"

"She is as good and as handsome as ever, and very much grown; indeed,
she is becoming quite womanly."

"And Clara?"

"Oh, I do not perceive any difference in her: I think she is grown, but
I hardly observed her. Here come