else. Indeed, so much more, that it
gave his mother sad annoyance. He told of the temper of the English
people at this juncture; of the demands to be made by the English
government before they would hear of peace; of a strong force sent to
Canada, and the general indignant and belligerent tone of feeling and
speech among members of Parliament; but Pitt did not write as if he
sympathized with it. 'He has lived here too long already!' sighed his
mother.

'Not if he is destined to live here the rest of his life, my dear
madam,' said the colonel.

'He will not do that. He will end by settling in England.'

'Will may have his own views, on that as on some other things.'

'By the time he has gone through the University and studied for his
profession, he will be more of an Englishman than of an American,' Mr.
Dallas observed contentedly. 'He will choose for himself.'

'What profession? Have you fixed upon one? or has he?'

'Time enough yet for that.'

'But your property lies here.'

'I am here to take care of it,' said Mr. Dallas, laughing a little.

All this sort of talk, which Esther heard often, with variations, made
one thing clear to her, namely, that if it depended on his father and
mother, Pitt's return to his native country would be long delayed or
finally prevented. It did not entirely depend on them, everybody knew
who knew him; nevertheless it seemed to Esther that the fascinations of
the old world must be great, and the feeling of the distance between
her and Pitt grew with every letter. It was not the fault of the
letters or of the writer in any way, nor was it the effect the latter
were intended to produce; but Esther grew more and more despondent
about him. And then, after a few months, the letters became short and
rare. Pitt had gone to Oxford; and, from the time of his entering the
University, plunged head and ears into business, so eagerly that time
and disposition failed for writing home. Letters did come, from time to
time, but there was much less in them; and those for Colonel
Gainsborough were at long intervals. So, when the second winter of
Pitt's absence began to set in, Esther reckoned him, to all intents and
purposes, lost to her life.

The girl went with increased eagerness and intentness to the one
resource she had--her Bible. The cry for happiness is so natural to the
human heart, that it takes long oppression to stifle it. The cry was
strong in Esther's young nature--strong and imperat