ew days
later. When I answered that letter I thought it as well not to say
anything of my plan, but by the time you receive this, it will be six
months since your great loss, and you will be able to look at it in a
fairer light than you could have done then, and I do hope you will agree
to come out to me. Life here has its advantages and disadvantages, but I
think that, especially for young people, it is a pleasant one.

"I am getting very tired of a bachelor's establishment, and it will be a
very great pleasure indeed to have you here. Ever since I was in England
I made up my mind to adopt you as my own child. You are very like my
brother John, and your letters and all I have heard of you show that you
have grown up just as he would have wished you to do. Your sister Helena
is your mother's child, and, without wishing to hurt your feelings, your
mother and I have nothing in common. I regard you as the only relation
I have in the world, and whether you come out or whether you do not,
whatever I leave behind me will be yours. I do hope that you will at any
rate come out for a time. Later on, if you don't like the life here, you
can fall back upon your own plan.

"If you decide to come, write to my agent. I inclose envelope addressed
to him. Tell him when you can be ready. He will put you in the way of
the people you had better go to for your outfit, will pay all bills,
take your passage, and so on.

"Whatever you do, do not stint yourself. The people you go to will know
a great deal better than you can do what is necessary for a lady out
here. All you will have to do will be to get measured and to give them
an idea of your likes and fancies as to colors and so on. They will have
instructions from my agent to furnish you with a complete outfit, and
will know exactly how many dozens of everything are required.

"I can see no reason why you should not start within a month after the
receipt of this letter, and I shall look most anxiously for a letter
from you saying that you will come, and that you will start by a sailing
ship in a month at latest from the date of your writing."

Isobel did not hesitate, as her faith in her uncle was unbounded. Next
to her meetings with her brother, his letters had been her greatest
pleasures. He had always taken her part; it was he who, at her request,
had Robert placed at school, and he had kept her at Miss Virtue's
in spite of her mother's complaints. At home she had never felt
comfo