ost-captain before I die."

Mrs. Campbell now took Mary Percival into the next room, that she might
compose herself, and Captain Sinclair ventured to follow. Every one
appeared happy at this announcement of Mr. Campbell except Emma, who
looked unusually serious. Alfred, perceiving it, said to her, "Emma, you
are very grave at the idea of losing Mary, and I do not wonder at it,
but you will have one consolation,--you will lose me too, and I shall no
longer plague you as you continually complain that I do."

"I never thought of that," replied Emma, half angry; "well, you _are_ a
great plague, and the sooner you go--"

Emma did not, however, finish her speech, but left the room, to join her
sister.

Now that Mr. Campbell had announced his wishes, the subject of Mary's
marriage and Alfred's return to the service was, for a few days, the
continual subject of discussion. It was decided that Mary should be
married in a month, by the chaplain of the fort, who had returned, and
that Captain Sinclair, with his wife and Alfred, should leave the
settlement at the end of September, so as to arrive at Quebec in good
time for sailing before the winter should set in. It was now the last
week in August, so that there was not much time to pass away previous to
their departure. Captain Sinclair returned to the fort, to make the
Colonel acquainted with what had passed, and to take the necessary steps
for leave of absence, and his return to England. This, from his interest
with the Governor, he was sure to obtain, and when in England, it would
be time sufficient to decide whether he should leave that service or
exchange into some regiment at home. As every prospect of war or
disturbance in Canada was now over, he could take either step without
any censure being laid upon him.

A week afterward, the _bateaux_ arrived from Montreal, and the Colonel
and Captain Sinclair made their appearance at the settlement, bringing
with them the letters and papers from England.

Having received the congratulations of the Colonel, Mr. and Mrs.
Campbell, with his permission, opened their letters, for all the family
were present, and all, as usual, anxious to hear the news. The first
letter Mr. Campbell opened, to the surprise of all, produced an
immediate change in his countenance. He read it a second time, and
laying it down on his knee, appeared to remain in a state of complete
abstraction.

"No bad news, I hope, Campbell?" said his wife anxiously,