would represent the remaining property of
the family, with which it would be necessary to purchase government
stock. Such being the case, Aunt Letty's income was very material to
them.

"I trust you will be able to find some one there who will preach the
gospel to you," said Mrs. Townsend, in a tone that showed how serious
were her misgivings on the subject.

"I will search for such a one at any rate," said Aunt Letty. "You
need not be afraid that I shall be a backslider."

"But they have crosses now over the communion tables in the churches
in England," said Mrs. Townsend.

"I know it is very bad," said Aunt Letty. "But there will always be a
remnant left. The Lord will not utterly desert us." And then she took
her departure, leaving Mrs. Townsend with the conviction that the
land to which her friend was going was one in which the light of the
gospel no longer shone in its purity.

It was not wonderful that they should all be anxious to get away
from Castle Richmond, for the house there was now not a pleasant one
in which to live. Let all those who have houses and the adjuncts
of houses think how considerable a part of their life's pleasures
consists in their interest in the things around them. When will the
sea-kale be fit to cut, and when will the crocuses come up? will the
violets be sweeter than ever? and the geranium cuttings, are they
thriving? we have dug, and manured, and sown, and we look forward to
the reaping, and to see our garners full. The very furniture which
ministers to our daily uses is loved and petted; and in decorating
our rooms we educate ourselves in design. The place in church which
has been our own for years,--is not that dear to us, and the voice
that has told us of God's tidings--even though the drone become
more evident as it waxes in years, and though it grows feeble and
indolent? And the faces of those who have lived around us, do we not
love them too, the servants who have worked for us, and the children
who have first toddled beneath our eyes and prattled in our ears, and
now run their strong races, screaming loudly, splashing us as they
pass--very unpleasantly? Do we not love them all? Do they not all
contribute to the great sum of our enjoyment? All men love such
things, more or less, even though they know it not. And women love
them even more than men.

And the Fitzgeralds were about to leave them all. The early buds of
spring were now showing themselves, but how was it possib