ad just
arrived at his clearing. The Ashtons were very much pleased with them.
They were just what they expected D'Arcy's relatives would be. Sophy
had not been to the clearing for some time; D'Arcy invited her to
accompany him over it. On one side stood a cottage almost completed.
D'Arcy produced a plan. "That is what it will look like when it is
finished," he observed. "For whom is this?" asked Sophy. "For my
mother and sisters," was the answer. "Then who is to inhabit your
house?" asked Sophy, though the moment she had uttered the words she
wished that she had kept silence. "I shall be very miserable, if you
are not its mistress," said D'Arcy.

They were the first couple married in the new church at the settlement,
mainly built by Mr Ashton's exertions. He had hitherto, from his first
arrival, conducted a service at his own house, open to all who would
attend.

Mr Norman wrote to Mr Ashton to say that he would pay him a visit. "I
have come on business," he said after the usual greetings were over. "I
am a patriot, and I am anxious for the improvement of the country. Your
sons are excellent young men, with talent and sense. The education of
the two younger is not complete, and Philip might improve his
agricultural knowledge with advantage to himself as well as to the
province. On these grounds I beg to invite them to take up their
residence at my house at Toronto, while they take advantage of the very
liberal means of instruction which that city affords. There are some
important lectures on agriculture which are about to commence. Charley
should go to Upper Canada College, and Harry to the University; and, my
dear sir, as I have no young people depending on me, you must allow me
to defray all expenses."

Mr Ashton could not decline so generous an offer. It is possible that
Harry and Charley were slightly disappointed at having to go to school
again, but Philip was most thankful for the advantage offered him.
D'Arcy undertook to assist Mr Ashton in his labours on the farm during
Philip's absence. The three brothers started together. Their life in
Toronto was very different to what it had been in the bush--round hats,
frock-coats, and Wellington boots, superseded wideawakes,
shooting-jackets, and hobnailed shoes or mocassins; and their hammers,
saws, and axes, were exchanged for books, while social meetings of
various sorts occupied many of the evenings when there were no lectures
to attend. Harr