t to our lodgings in the country next week, some
of them will come to us. Much as I long to see them, I almost dread
stirring."

"O you will recover much faster when you are in quiet, and when you can
go out every day. You can hardly feel here the delight of returning
health. I know from experience that the first sight of the face of
nature, in a season like this, after days and weeks of illness, is one
of the most exquisite pleasures that life can afford."

"_I_ believe it," said Monteath. "I expect to enjoy it much; though,
with me, all cares will not be over when health returns. I have already
made up my mind to every thing, however, and am determined to make the
best of my lot. It is astonishing how soon one's mind becomes
reconciled to circumstances. At this hour, a fortnight ago, I should
have shuddered at the very thoughts of what I have yet to go through:
but I am pretty well reconciled to it now, and do not see why I should
not be tolerably happy. To be sure, this fortnight has seemed longer
than any year of my life before."

"I do not see," said Charles, "why you should not be _very_ happy, when
you have once got into the round of your occupations again. In the mean
time you will meet with some painful circumstances no doubt; but then
you have consolations which have supported you in a far worse trial than
any you are likely to meet with again."

"True; those consolations are worth any thing: it makes me quite ashamed
to set my fears and troubles in opposition to such comforts."

"If it is not painful to you," said Charles, "I should like to know what
your fears and troubles are; and perhaps by bringing yourself to speak
frankly of them, you may find that your imagination has magnified them."

"It is selfish to talk so much about myself," replied Monteath.

"I came on purpose to hear you," said Charles, "and nothing can interest
me so much."

"Well, then," said Monteath, "I have been thinking how far my usual
pursuits will be hindered by this accident. I am afraid that my father
will not allow me to take on myself, as I used to do, the most laborious
part of our business concerns. I have, to be sure, spent a great part
of my time in the counting-house; but there is a great deal of active
business to be done besides, and journeys to be performed; and I am
afraid that my father will take more upon him than at his age he can do
without fatigue."

"I do not see," said Charles, "why you should