placed on the table.

But Mr Snow had little to say about it. If he knew where the idea of
the minister's holidays originated, he certainly did not succeed in
making it clear to the minister and Graeme.

"But that matters little, as long as it is to be," said Mrs Snow,
coming to the deacon's relief. "And it has all been done in a good
spirit, and in a proper and kindly manner, and from the best of
motives," added she, looking anxiously from Graeme to her father.

"You need not be afraid, my kind friends," said Mr Elliott, answering
her look, while his voice trembled. "The gift shall be accepted in the
spirit in which it is offered. It gives me great pleasure."

"And, Miss Graeme, my dear," continued Mrs Snow, earnestly, "you needna
look so grave about it. It is only what is right and just to your
father--and no favour--though it has been a great pleasure to all
concerned. And surely, if I'm satisfied, you may be."

Sampson gave a short laugh.

"She's changed her mind about us Merleville folks lately--"

"Whist, man! I did that long ago. And, Miss Graeme, my dear, think of
seeing your brothers, and their friends, and yon fine country, and the
grand river that Harry tells us of! It will be almost like seeing
Scotland again, to be in the Queen's dominions. My dear, you'll be
quite glad when you get time to think about it."

"Yes--but do they really think papa is so ill?"

She had risen to get a light, and Mrs Snow had followed her from the
room.

"Ill? my dear, if the doctor thought him ill would he send him from
home? But he needs a rest, and a change--and, my dear, you do that
yourself, and I think it's just providential. Not but that you could
have gone without their help, but this was done in love, and I would
fain have you take pleasure in it, as I do."

And Graeme did take pleasure in it, and said so, heartily, and "though
it wasna just the thing for the Sabbath night," as Janet said, they
lingered a little, speaking of the things that were to be done, or to be
left undone, in view of the preparations for the journey. They returned
to the study with the light just as Mr Elliott was saying,--

"And so, I thought, having the prospect of but few Sabbaths, I would
like to spend them all at home."

Janet's first impulse was to turn and see whether Graeme had heard her
father's words. She evidently had not, for she came in smiling, and set
the lamp on the table. There was nothing reassuring i