oicing over the decision. Henrietta would willingly have kept
back the letter, but this she could not do; and sealing it as if
she were doing wrong, she sat down to dinner, feeling subdued and
remorseful, something like a tyrant between the condemnation and
execution of his victim. But by the time the first course was over, and
she and Frederick had begun to recollect their long-cherished wishes,
they made up their minds to be happy, and fell into their usual strain
of admiration of the unknown haven of their hopes, and of expectations
that it would in the end benefit their mother.

The next morning she was quite in her usual spirits, and affairs
proceeded in the usual manner; Frederick's holidays came to an end, and
he returned to school with many a fond lamentation from the mother and
sister, but with cheerful auguries from both that the next meeting might
be at Knight Sutton.

"Here, Henrietta," said her mother, as they sat at breakfast together a
day or two after Frederick's departure, turning over to her the letter
of which she had first broken the seal, while she proceeded to open some
others. It was Uncle Geoffrey's writing, and Henrietta read eagerly:

"MY DEAR MARY,--I would not write till I could give you some positive
information about the Pleasance, and that could not be done without a
conference with Hardy, who was not at home. I am heartily glad that you
think of coming among us again, but still I should like to feel certain
that it is you that feel equal to it, and not the young ones who are set
upon the plan. I suppose you will indignantly refute the charge, but you
know I have never trusted you in that matter. However, we are too much
the gainers to investigate motives closely, and I cannot but believe
that the effort once over, you would find it a great comfort to be among
your own people, and in your own country. I fully agree with you also in
what you say of the advantage to Henrietta and Fred. My father is going
to write, and I must leave him to do justice to his own cordiality, and
proceed to business."

Then came the particulars of freehold and copyhold, purchase or lease,
repair or disrepair, of which Henrietta knew nothing, and cared less;
she knew that her mamma was considered a great heiress, and trusted to
her wealth for putting all she pleased in her power: but it was rather
alarming to recollect that Uncle Geoffrey would consider it right to
make the best terms he could, and that the