constitute a decorous proceeding. I suppose she thinks the creature
might have been made to wait at least until he had found his feet. She
professes to cherish no antagonism to her future son-in-law on this
account, although, as she says, it's a queer way to come into a family;
and she makes no secret of her belief that Miss Cameron showed excellent
judgement in doing as she did, however that far-seeing woman came to
have the opportunity.

Hesketh had sailed before Lorne left his room, to return in June to
those privileges and prospects of citizenship which he so eminently
deserves to enjoy. When her brother's convalescence and departure for
Florida had untied her tongue, Stella widely proclaimed her opinion that
Mr Hesketh's engagement to Miss Milburn was the most suitable thing that
could be imagined or desired. We know the youngest Miss Murchison to be
inclined to impulsive views; but it would be safe, I think, to follow
her here. Now that the question no longer circles in the actual vortex
of Elgin politics Mr Octavius Milburn's attitude toward the
conditions of imperial connection has become almost as mellow as
ever. Circumstances may arise any day, however, to stir up that latent
bitterness which is so potential in him: and then I fear there will be
no restraining him from again attacking Wallingham in the papers.

Henry Cruickshank, growing old in his eminence and less secure, perhaps,
in the increasing conflict of loud voices, of his own grasp of the
ultimate best, fearing too, no doubt, the approach of that cynicism
which, moral or immoral, is the real hoar of age, wrote to young
Murchison while he was still examining the problems of the United States
with the half-heart of the alien, and offered him a partnership. The
terms were so simple and advantageous as only to be explicable on the
grounds I have mentioned, though no phrase suggested them in the brief
formulas of the letter, in which one is tempted to find the individual
parallel of certain propositions of a great government also growing old.
The offer was accepted, not without emotion, and there, too, it would
be good to trace the parallel, were we permitted; but for that it is too
soon, or perhaps it is too late. Here, for Lorne and for his country,
we lose the thread of destiny. The shuttles fly, weaving the will of the
nations, with a skein for ever dipped again; and he goes forth to his
share in the task among those by whose hand and direction the pa