I do not know whether you are aware that I was an orphan at a
very early age, and have been under the charge of a guardian. When my
father died, he left directions in his will that I was not to take
possession of my property till I was twenty-five years of age. I was
twenty-five years old last year, and my guardian has written requesting
me to come home, that he may be relieved of his responsibility, by
making over to me the trust which has been confided to him."

"Will it detain you long?" inquired Mr. Campbell.

"It must not. It is very difficult to obtain leave of absence from your
regiment in time of war. It is only through interest that I do so now.
On my arrival at Quebec, the Governor will put me on his staff, and
then he will give me leave. I shall not stay longer than is necessary,
as I am anxious to be with my regiment again. You may, therefore, be
certain that, if I am spared, I shall be with you again before the
winter, if not much sooner. So now if you have really any commissions
for me to execute, I can only say I shall be most happy to comply with
your wishes to the best of my ability."

"Well," observed Emma, "we really were not aware that Captain Sinclair
was a man of fortune. You think now you will come back," continued she,
gravely, "but if once you get to England, you will remain, and forget
all about Canada."

"My fortune is not very large," replied Captain Sinclair; "in England,
hardly sufficient to induce a young lady of fashion to look upon me,
although enough, perhaps, for a sensible woman to be happy upon. My
fortune, therefore, will not detain me in England, and, as I said
before, my greatest wish is to rejoin my regiment."

"Whether you come back or remain," observed Mr. Campbell, "you will
always have our best wishes, Captain Sinclair. We are not ungrateful for
your kindness to us."

"Nor shall I forget the many happy hours I have passed in your society,"
replied Captain Sinclair; "but we shall be melancholy if we talk too
long upon the subject. The boat can not remain more than two hours, and
Henry must be ready by that time. The commandant is anxious that it
should start for Montreal this very evening."

"Then, indeed, we have no time to lose," observed Mr. Campbell; "Henry,
get your trunk ready, and Martin will take it down into the boat before
we sit down to dinner. It will be a long while before we have you to
dine with us again," continued Mr. Campbell to Captain Sinclair; "but