tly because she, in common with all the rest, was much
engrossed with Harry's fate. He came home every day at dinner-time with
Norman to ask if Alan Ernescliffe's letter had come; and at length Mary
and Tom met them open-mouthed with the news that Margaret had it in her
room.

Thither they hastened. Margaret held it out with a smile of
congratulation. "Here it is, Harry; papa said you were to have it, and
consider it well, and let him know, when you had taken time. You must do
it soberly. It is once for all."

Harry's impetuosity was checked, and he took the letter quietly. His
sister put her hand on his shoulder, "Would you mind my kissing you,
dear Harry?" and as he threw his arms round her neck, she whispered,
"Pray that you may choose right."

He went quietly away, and Norman begged to know what had been Alan
Ernescliffe's advice.

"I can scarcely say he gave any direct advice," said Margaret; "He would
not have thought that called for. He said, no doubt there were hardships
and temptations, more or less, according to circumstances; but weighing
one thing with another, he thought it gave as fair a chance of happiness
as other professions, and the discipline and regularity had been very
good for himself, as well as for many others he had known. He said, when
a man is willing to go wrong there is much to help him, but when he is
resolved on doing right, he need not be prevented."

"That is what you may say of anything," said Norman.

"Just so; and it answered papa's question, whether it was exposing Harry
to more temptation than he must meet with anywhere. That was the reason
it was such a comfort to have anyone to write to, who understands it so
well."

"Yes, and knows Harry's nature."

"He said he had been fortunate in his captains, and had led, on the
whole, a happy life at sea; and he thought if it was so with him, Harry
was likely to enjoy it more, being of a hardy adventurous nature, and a
sailor from choice, not from circumstances."

"Then he advised for it? I did not think he would; you know he will not
let Hector be a sailor."

"He told me he thought only a strong natural bent that way made it
desirable, and that he believed Hector only wished it from imitation of
him. He said too, long ago, that he thought Harry cut out for a sailor.

"A spirited fellow!" said Norman, with a look of saddened pride and
approval, not at all like one so near the same age. "He is up to
anything, afraid of nothing,