g a miller for life
is what I cannot as yet contemplate with any degree of composure."

"Well, Alfred, I only did it to tease you a little, not to hurt your
feelings, believe me," replied Emma. "You shall not be a miller if you
don't like it, Henry will do better, perhaps, than you; but as for our
quitting this place, I have no idea of its being ever possible. I have
made up my mind to live and die in the Canadian woods, considering it my
wayward fate that all `my sweetness should be wasted on the desert
air.'"

"Repining is useless, if not sinful," observed Mary Percival. "We have
much to be thankful for; at least we are independent, and if we are ever
to repay the kindness of our uncle and aunt, who must feel their change
of condition so much more than we do, it must be by cheerfulness and
content. I have been thinking as well as you, Alfred, and I'll tell you
what was in my thoughts. I looked forward to a few years, by which
time, as the country fills up so fast, it is very probable that we shall
have other settlers here as neighbours, in every direction. This will
give us security. I also fancied that my uncle's farm and property
became of value and importance, and that he himself became a leading man
in the district; not only at his ease, but, for a settler, even wealthy;
and then I fancied that, surrounded by others, in perfect security, and
in easy and independent circumstances, my uncle would not forget the
great sacrifice which my cousin Alfred so nobly made, and would insist
upon his returning to that profession, to which he is so much attached,
and in which I have no doubt but that he will distinguish himself."

"Well said, my sweet prophet," said Alfred, kissing his cousin, "you
have more sense than both of us."

"Answer for yourself, Alfred, if you please," said Emma, tossing her
head as if affronted. "I shall not forget that remark of yours, I can
assure you. Now, I prophesy quite the contrary; Alfred will never go to
sea again. He will be taken with the charms of some Scotch settler's
daughter; some Janet or Moggy, and settle down into a Canadian farmer,
mounted on a long-legged black pony."

"And I too," replied Alfred, "prophesy, that at the same time that I
marry and settle as you have described, Miss Emma Percival will yield up
her charms to some long-legged black nondescript sort of a fellow, who
will set up a whisky-shop and instal his wife as barmaid to attend upon
and conciliate his