y sincere apologies to the Squire, and any other
dear friends whom I may have left abruptly, under the peculiar
circumstances of my departure. Remember me gratefully to Mrs.
Carmichael, Mrs. Du Plessis, and the young ladies, and give my love
to all the children.
I am, dear Mrs. Carruthers,
Very sincerely and thankfully yours,
EUGENE CORISTINE.

P.S.--Please forgive me for sending a few bonbons for the children
by this mail. E.C.

"That's a very nice gentlemanly letter, Marjorie," said Mrs. Carruthers,
returning it.

"I like yours better, Aunty; it is not so stiff."

"Nonsense, you silly girl. I am only 'dear' and you are 'my dear.' He
thinks of me as a mother, and of you as the chief person in the world. I
think you are getting vain and greedy, Marjorie. Well, I must put these
bonbons away, or the children will see them, and will be making
themselves too ill to go to church. Where is cousin Marjorie?"

"Oh, she is off with her box. Very likely she is giving some to uncle
and grandpa. It's a great pity the Captain is not here; he has a sweet
tooth. Do you know Tryphena has a letter from Sylvanus?"

"That accounts for her delay with the dishes. What other letters did you
get?"

"None; only a lot of books, magazines, and illustrated papers from Mr.
Coristine for the family."

"For the family, Marjorie?"

"Yes; did you not read the postscript?"

"To be sure I did; but you know better than to take that
literally,--Marjorie, I think you're deep, deep."

"Do you think he will come here next month?"

"I am going to command my niece, Marjorie Carmichael, or to ask
Marjorie's mother, to answer his letter for me, and to insist upon his
coming back as soon as possible."

The aunt and niece had a kissing match, after which the latter said:
"Thank you, aunt Honoria," and went out of the room, ready for the
congratulations of the Bridesdale world.

Meanwhile Miss Du Plessis, having laid the dominie's wealth of postal
matter before his eyes, at his request read the solitary letter.

_My Dear Wilks_,--I hope that, under your excellent corps of nurses
and guardian angels, you are gradually recovering from your
Falstaffian encounter with Ancient Pistol. Don't let Miss Du
Plessis see this or she'll faint. I had a toughish ri