rn provinces are subdued, and are fast
returning to their allegiance. The hopes of England brighten, and a
speedy close of this unnatural rebellion is at hand."

"There are many valleys, father, amongst these mountains, and the wide
forests shade a solitude where large and populous nations may be hid
almost from human search. They who possess the valleys and the
wilderness, I have heard it said by wise men, will for ever choose their
own rulers."

"Mildred, you are a dutiful daughter, and are not wont to oppose your
father's wishes. I could desire to see you, with that shrewd
apprehension of yours, that quick insight, and that thoughtful mind,
thoughtful beyond the quality of your sex, less favorably bent towards
the enterprise of these rebel subjects. I do utterly loathe them and
their cause, and could wish that child of mine abated in no one jot of
my aversion to them."

"Heaven, father, and your good tutoring have made me what I am,"
returned Mildred, calmly; "I am but a woman, and speak with a weak
judgment and little knowledge. To my unlearned mind it seems that the
government of every nation should be what the people wish it. There are
good men here, father, amongst your friends--men, who, I am sure, have
all kindness in their hearts, who say that this country his suffered
grievous wrongs from the insolence of the king's representatives. They
have proclaimed this in a paper which I have heard even you say was
temperate and thoughtful: and you know nearly the whole land has roused
itself to say that paper was good. Can so many men be wrong?"

"You are a girl," replied Lindsay, "and a subtile one: you are tainted
with the common heresy. But what else might I expect! There are few
_men_ who can think out of fashion. When the multitude is supposed to
speak, that is warrant enough for the opinions of the majority. But it
is no matter, this is not a woman's theme, and is foreign to our present
conference. I came to talk with you about Tyrrel. Upon that subject I
will use no persuasions, express no wish, not in the slightest point
essay to influence your choice. When he disclosed his purpose to me, I
told him it was a question solely at your disposal. Thus much it is my
duty to say, that should his suit be favored"--

"From the bottom of my heart, father," interrupted Mildred eagerly, and
with increasing earnestness, "I abhor the thought. Be assured that if
age, poverty, and deformity were showered upon me at once,