eguiled Mr Greenleaf into spending so many
hours in the minister's study, the good people of Merleville found it
difficult to say. The squire's ill-concealed indifference to the
opinions of people generally, had told against him always. For once,
Mrs Page had been too charitable. He was not in a hopeful state, at
least, in her sense of the term, and it might be doubted, whether
frequent intercourse with the minister, would be likely to encourage the
young man to the attainment of Mrs Page's standard of excellence. But
to the study he often came, and he was never an unwelcome guest.

"If I am come at a wrong time, tell me so," said he, as he shook hands
with Mr Elliott, over a table covered with books and papers.

"You can hardly do that," said the minister, preparing to put the books
and papers away. "I am nearly done for the night. Excuse me, for a
minute only."

Graeme lingered talking to their visitor, till her father should be
quite at liberty.

"I have something for you," said Mr Greenleaf, in a minute. Graeme
smiled her thanks, and held out her hand for the expected book, or
magazine. It was a note this time.

"From Celestia!" she exclaimed, colouring a little.

Graeme did not aspire to the honour of Celestia's confidence in all
things, but she knew, or could guess enough, about the state of affairs
between her friend and Mr Greenleaf, to be wonderfully interested in
them, and she could not help feeling a little embarrassed, as she took
the note, from his hands.

"Read it," said he.

Graeme stooped down to catch the firelight. The note was very brief.
Celestia was going away, and wished Graeme to come and see her,
to-morrow. Mr Greenleaf would fetch her.

"Celestia, going away!" she exclaimed, raising herself up.

"Yes," said he, "have you not heard it?"

"I heard the farm was to be sold, but I hoped they would still stay in
Merleville."

"So did I," said Mr Greenleaf, gravely.

"When will they go?"

"Miss Jones is to be a teacher, in the new seminary at Rixford. They
are going to live there, and it cannot be very long before they go."

"To her uncle?"

"No, Celestia thinks her mother would not be happy there. They will
live by themselves, with the children."

"How sorry Celestia will be to go away," said Graeme, sadly.

"She will not be persuaded to stay," said Mr Greenleaf.

Graeme darted a quick, embarrassed look at him, as much as to say, "Have
you asked her?" He answered