ve been valued at seven hundred pounds, and that he
has paid that money into my agent's hands. This is extremely liberal of
Mr Douglas Campbell, and I certainly did not expect, as I found plants
there on my taking possession, that I was entitled to any remuneration
for what I left. However, I am too poor to refuse his offer from any
feelings of delicacy, and shall therefore write and thank him for his
generous behaviour." Alfred had read the letter from Captain Lumley,
which made him very thoughtful. The fact was, that his promotion and
the observations in Captain Lumley's letter had brought back all his
former regret at having quitted the service, and he was very melancholy
in consequence; but as his cousins read their letters aloud, he
gradually recovered his spirits.

At last, all the letters were read, and then the newspapers were
distributed. No more work was done that day, and in the evening they
all sat round the kitchen fire and talked over the intelligence they had
received until long after their usual time of retiring to bed.

"I have been thinking, my dear Emily," said Mr Campbell the next
morning, before they quitted their sleeping-room, "what a very
seasonable supply of money this will be. My funds, as you have seen by
the account of my Quebec agent, were nearly exhausted, and we have many
things yet to procure. We shall require horses next year, and we must
increase our stock in every way; indeed, if we could have another man or
two, it would be very advantageous, as the sooner we clear the ground,
the sooner we shall be independent."

"I agree with you, Campbell; besides, we shall now have Alfred's
half-pay, poor fellow, which will help us very much; I have been
thinking more of him than anything else this night: I watched him when
he read Captain Lumley's letter, and I well understood the cause of his
seriousness for some time afterwards; I almost feel inclined to let him
return to his profession; it would be painful parting with him, but the
sacrifice on his part is very great."

"Still it's his duty," replied Mr Campbell, "and, moreover, absolutely
necessary at present, that he should remain with us. When we are more
settled and more independent of his assistance we will talk over the
subject."

In the meantime, Mary and Emma had gone out as usual to milk the cows.
It was a beautiful clear day, but there was a bracing air which cheered
the spirits, and the sunshine was pleasantly warm in s