beautiful things He has made, the more we shall love Him, and in
loving Him we shall grow like Him."

Mr Snow nodded. Mr Green looked curiously from one to the other as
they spoke.

"I suppose we may expect something wonderful in the way of gardens and
pleasure-grounds, when you have completed your place, Mr Green," said
Mrs Grove, who did not care that the conversation should take a serious
turn on this occasion. She flattered herself that she had already won
the confidence and admiration of Mr and Mrs Snow, by her
warmly-expressed sympathy with their "rather peculiar" views and
opinions. Whether Mr Green would be so fortunate was questionable, so
she went on quickly,--

"Miss Elliott, Mr Green has been telling me about his place as we come
up the garden. It must be very lovely, standing, as it does, on the
borders of one of those vast prairies that we all admire."

Thus appealed to, it was unpardonable in Graeme that she should respond
to the lady's admiring enthusiasm with only the doubtful assent implied
in a hesitating "Indeed;" but her enthusiasm was not to be damped.

"There must be something grand and elevating in the constant view of a
prairie. It must tend to enlarge one's ideas, and satisfy one; don't
you think so, Miss Elliott?"

"I don't know," said Graeme, hesitatingly. "For a place of residence, I
should suppose it might be a little dull, and unvaried."

"Of course, if there was nothing besides the prairie; but, with such a
residence as Mr Green's--I forget what style of architecture it is."

But Mr Green was not learned on the subject of architecture, and said
nothing about it. He only knew that people called his house a very
handsome one, and that it had cost him a deal of money, and he said so,
emphatically, adding his serious doubts whether the investment would
"pay."

"Oh! you cannot tell yet," said Mrs Grove. "That will depend
altogether on circumstances. It is quite time that you were settling
down into a quiet family man. You have been roaming about the world
quite long enough. I don't at all approve of the European trip, unless,
indeed--"

She paused, and looked so exceedingly arch and wise, that Mr Green
looked a little puzzled and foolish by contrast, perhaps.

"Miss Elliott," continued Mrs Grove, bent on carrying out her laudable
intention of drawing Graeme into the conversation, "have you quite
decided on not accompanying your brother?"

"Accompanying Will? Oh! I h