e been so intimate with,"
said Emma, after they were left alone. "I declare I could sit down and
have a hearty cry at Captain Sinclair's departure."

Mary sighed, but made no answer.

"I am not surprised to hear you say so, Emma," said Mrs Campbell. "In
England, when we were surrounded with friends, parting was always
painful; but here where we have so few, I might almost say only Captain
Sinclair, it is of course most painful. However, it's only for a time,
I hope."

"It must be very dull to be on duty at the fort," said Mary; "I should
not be surprised at Captain Sinclair's not returning."

"I should be most exceedingly surprised," replied Emma; "I am sure that
he will come back, if he is not unavoidably prevented."

"Since he has expressed so much desire to rejoin his regiment, I should
be surprised as well as you, Emma," said Mrs Campbell. "He is not a
volatile young man; but, come, we must clear away the dinner-table."

Mr Campbell, Alfred, Percival, and Martin soon returned, for Captain
Sinclair was obliged to push off immediately, that he might return in
time to the fort, in obedience to his orders. Malachi and John had gone
out on a hunting expedition, and the Strawberry was at her own lodge.
The party that sat in the kitchen in the evening was, therefore, much
reduced, and the taking farewell of Captain Sinclair did not dispose
them to be very lively. A few words were exchanged now and then, but
the conversation drooped. Emma spoke of Captain Sinclair's expectations
and projects.

"We never know what may come in this world of change, my dear Emma,"
said Mr Campbell. "All Captain Sinclair's plans may be overthrown by
circumstances over which he has no control. How seldom do we meet with
results equal to our expectations. When I was practising in my
profession, I little expected that I should be summoned to take
possession of Wexton Hall; when once in possession, as little did I
expect that I should be obliged to quit it, and to come to these
desolate wilds. We are in the hands of God, who does with us as He
thinks fit. I have been reading this morning, and I made the
observation not only how often individuals, but even nations, are out in
their expectations. I do not know a more convincing proof of this than
the narration of events, which from their recent occurrence, can hardly
yet be considered as history, has offered to me. Perhaps there never
was so short a period in which causes have p