intend to return for
another month. Dr. May spoke cheerfully of the hospitality and kindness
they had met, but failed to enliven him, and, as if trying to assign
some cause for his vexation, he lamented over fogs and frosts, and began
to dread an October in Scotland for Flora, almost as if it were the
Arctic regions.

He grew somewhat more animated in praising Flora, and speaking of the
great satisfaction he had in seeing his son married to so admirable a
person. He only wished it could be the same with his daughter.

"You are a very unselfish father," said Dr. May. "I cannot imagine you
without your little fairy."

"It would be hard to part," said Mr. Rivers, sighing; "yet I should be
relieved to see her in good hands, so pretty and engaging as she is, and
something of an heiress. With our dear Flora, she is secure of a happy
home when I am gone, but still I should be glad to have seen--" and he
broke off thoughtfully.

"She is so sensible, that we shall see her make a good choice," said Dr.
May, smiling; "that is, if she choose at all, for I do not know who is
worthy of her."

"I am quite indifferent as to fortune," continued Mr. Rivers. "She will
have enough of her own."

"Enough not to be dependent, which is the point," said Dr. May, "though
I should have few fears for her any way."

"It would be a comfort," harped on Mr. Rivers, dwelling on the subject,
as if he wanted to say something, "if she were only safe with a man
who knew how to value her and make her happy. Such a young man as your
Norman, now--I have often thought--"

Dr. May would not seem to hear, but he could not prevent himself from
blushing as crimson as if he had been the very Norman, as he answered,
going on with his own speech, as if Mr. Rivers's had been unmade, "She
is the brightest little creature under the sun, and the sparkle is down
so deep within, that however it may turn out, I should never fear for
her happiness."

"Flora is my great reliance," proceeded Mr. Rivers. "Her aunt, Lady
Leonora, is very kind, but somehow she does not seem to suit with Meta."

"Oh, ho," thought the doctor, "have you made that discovery, my good
friend?"

The voices of the two boys were heard in the hall, explaining their
achievements to Meta, and Dr. May took his departure, Hector driving
him, and embarking in a long discourse on his own affairs as if he
had quite forgotten that the doctor was not his father, and going on
emphatically, in spite of