The colonel pondered, not glad, perhaps, to have difficulties cleared
out of his way. Mr. Dallas waited, too keen to press his point unduly.

'I should have to go and reconnoitre,' the former said presently. 'I
must not give up one home till I have another ready. I never thought to
leave Seaforth. Where do you say this place is that Mrs. Dallas
recommends?'

'In New York. The school is said to be particularly good and thorough,
and conducted by an English lady; which would be a recommendation to
me, as I suppose it is to you.'

'I should have to find a house in the neighbourhood,' said the colonel,
musing.

Mr. Dallas said no more, and waited.

'I must go and see what I can find,' the colonel repeated. 'Perhaps
Mrs. Dallas will be so good as to give me the address of the school in
question.'

Mrs. Dallas did more than that. She gave letters to friends, and
addresses of more than one school teacher: and the end was, Colonel
Gainsborough set off on a search. The search was successful. He was
satisfied with the testimonials he received respecting one of the
institutions and respecting its head; he was directed by some of Mr.
Dallas's business friends to various houses that might suit him for a
residence; and among them made his choice, and even made his bargain,
and came home with the business settled.

Esther had spent the days of his absence in a very doubtful mood, not
knowing whether to be glad or sorry, to hope or to fear. Seaforth was
the only home she had ever known; she did not like the thought of
leaving it; but she knew by this time as well as Mr. Dallas knew that
she needed more advantages of education than Seaforth could give her.
On the whole, she hoped.

The colonel was absent several days. There was no telegraphing in those
times, and so the day of his return could not be notified; but when a
week had passed, Esther began to look for him. It was the first time he
had ever been away from her, and so, of course, it was the first coming
home. Esther felt it deserved some sort of celebration. The stage
arrived towards evening, she knew.

'I think maybe he will be here to-night, Barker,' she said. 'What is
there we could have for supper that papa likes particularly?'

'Indeed, Miss Esther, the colonel favours nothing more than another, as
I know. His toast and tea, that is all he cares for nights, mostly.'

'Toast and tea!' said Esther disparagingly.

'It's the most he cares for, as I know,' the h