Constance opened her pocket-book to search for something, and a dried rose fell from it. Amy picked up the flower, smelled it, and sighed. Constance, perceiving that her eyes were full of tears, and fixed intently upon it, said "That rose was the first rose that Ferdinand gave me after our marriage; I have kept it ever since; it is withered and faded, but it still reminds me of that happy time when I first went to Pool Basset." "And it will not have lost all its fragrance before you are once more happy at your own dear home, still yours to return to when you are inclined to do so. But the sight of this flower, and the scent, though faint, bring to my memory scenes and joys long gone by, which I may never see again. This is the first rose I have seen since I bade adieu to my country-to my own dear garden-my friends; and I cannot tell you how distinctly, yet mournfully, it brings them before me. Oh! may it always recall only happiness to your mind!" Amy returned the faded rose to Constance, and they walked in silence to the house. CHAPTER IX. There swells the rolling peal, full, deep'ning, grand, JOANNA BAILLIE. THE Mortimers began to think of leaving their hospitable friends, but it was with regret; for, much as Ferdinand had shunned the world, imagining that he hated its restraints, he was unconsciously attracted by the society of the Greys, who so happily united good manners and cultivated tastes with hard-working industry. A necessary industry-sometimes too oppressive, perhaps; yet it gave a heightened zest to the comforts it procured, and increased their enjoyment of the books which furnished the walls of their sitting-room, and lent to it an appearance of civilised happiness. Noel had never looked so well or so joyous; partaking in the employments of the children, and entering with all his heart into the interests of the hens and the chickens, the ducks and the geese; watching them by day, and in the evening helping to house them in safety for the night. Desirous to join in all their labours, he emulated the usefulness of the older children, and, joining in all their little duties, was amused by the variety and novelty of his occupations. He was a fine, animated, honest-minded boy, very obedient in general. The only point in which he was inclined to transgress, was the love of liberty, which he seemed to inherit in the extreme; and he was so continually tempted beyond the permitted bounds by pleasure or by curiosity, that his mother was always fearful of his straying into the depths of the forest. Birds, wild flowers, and insects, were irresistible attractions; among the latter were grasshoppers of various kinds and colours-some black, others pink and green-attached to blades of grass, all making their peculiar noises. One of these, a giant species, an inch and a half in length, which used to appear when the air was sultry, made a sound like the knocking of two pebbles together; and Noel, convinced that the noise was made by other little boys, and not yet sufficiently sensible of the anxiety it caused his mother, was perpetually going in search of them without waiting for permission. Almost unmindful of the attacks of the mosquito, he would visit the places they chiefly frequented in order to watch the large and brilliant dragon-flies which were to be seen pursuing the mosquito and catching them on the wing. Wasps' nests were another object of interest- so nicely formed of circle within eircle, and suspended to rails and stumps of trees. He used to observe the proceedings of these pretty insects with much perseverance, till the change from hot to cold weather put a stop to their operations. The season changed abruptly. October, which had begun favourably, now shewing early indications of winter, Mortimer resolved to linger no more. His wife's strength being re-established, there was no more reason for delay; he applied therefore to Mr Grey for advice and aid in procuring the means of travelling. "Where would you go, Colonel Mortimer?" "I would pursue my journey through the woods." "Have you formed any plan-ordered a home to be prepared? You will of course move for the winter to some of our towns in the front?" "Heaven forbid! nothing could be more disagreeable. I should see there only the petty mimicry of the follies of the world I have left-the strife of emulation, the toils of vanity, and all the narrow views of ignorance." "Will you then endeavour to make your way to some of the settlements near the lakes? many gentlemen have settled near Lake Simcoe." "That is exactly what would deter me from going there. I wish to enjoy the society of my own family, and to avoid the wearisome monotony of intercourse with those to whom I am wholly indifferent." "The only alternatives are (for your travelling through the country so late in the season is out of the question), either to continue with us" (Mortimer shook his head), " or, as you will not go to any of our towns, procure a clearing with a habitable dwelling where you could pass the winter; or, in the last place, build a log-house, for which there is still sufficient time. My first suggestion would be the most agreeable to Amy and myself." "I thank you with all my heart," replied Mortimer; "but I cannot-I hoped to pursue my journey through these magnificent forests." "Believe me, it would be impossible with such companions as yours-absolute risk of life to all. Besides, there is every reason to suppose the winter will begin early; large herds of deer have been seen passing near this, and the Indians have already begun to hunt. Before you could be well prepared to start from home, the roads, such as they are, will be impassable; the wheels sinking into the deep ruts at every step, or jolting uncomfortably over the logs with which they are repaired." "That is a gloomy picture of your country, Mr Grey. Where time is not wasted in convivial meetings, and money applied only to useful objects, it is extraordinary that the means of communication are thus neglected-so little done to facilitate the traveller, or promote the intercourse of man with man!" "Our roads cannot be kept in good order because we want capital to pay for the necessary labour; the expense of labour, and the difficulty of procuring hands, causes much inconvenience," said Mr Grey; "thus you see our independence consists in food and fuel; our liberty is but a name. For you cannot call that a life of liberty when you feel yourself obliged to devote your whole attention to the farm on which you depend for bread!" "There is one great advantage, however, in the want of roads," replied Mortimer; "you are not so much exposed to the visits of the idle lounger, who has no other employment than that of preying on the time of his friends." "Certainly you escape a good deal of that, but it is at some seasons only. On the other hand, you lose the opportunity of seeing those whose company might be desirable, except when some happy chance or whim directs enlightened travellers to us; and then, I need not tell you, for you must yourself see, what pleasure we derive from it. Till you have known by experience what it is to inhabit these regions, you cannot conceive the happiness it has been to us to have such visitors as you and Mrs Mortimer. I dread the blank we shall feel when you leave us." "And, believe me, I shall leave you with sincere regret ; for, though I do not love the world, I do love and value such society, such friends, as you and the admirable Mrs Grey." "You despise society; but to me, who seldom can obtain any suited to my taste, it is an inexpressible enjoyment. Why cannot, I induce you to remain with us till a favourable season for your journey? You cannot wander in winter through the bush, as we call the woods; you abhor the idea of a town--you may at once enjoy quiet and solitude even while enliven ours." you "Laying aside all fear of coming inconvenience," replied Mortimer, "I will only mention as an objection, your expectation of a young friend from England. I am anxious to leave you, that you may be able to admit him." "As to Mr Sydenham, I have expected him so long, I begin to think he has changed his mind; he was to have sailed in May." "Sydenham! I think I know something of that name, and yet I am not acquainted with any Sydenham; yes, yes, I have, now I recollect, heard of a person of that name; do you know any particulars of him?" "I only know," replied Mr Grey, "that his uncle has long tried to persuade him to come to this country, in the mistaken idea of his making his fortune here. He disliked the plan particularly, the more so as he was engaged, I understand, to a charming young lady. I have heard lately, however, that he has been unfortunate in his attachment, and that, when suffering from the caprice of the lady, he made the desperate resolution of coming to Canada." "Poor young man!" said Mortimer very thoughtfully; and after a pause, in a low voice-" How far the effects of folly, of inconsiderate vanity, may extend! Can anything be done to assist him?" "I cannot tell," said Grey, a little surprised at the emotion in Mortimer's countenance, "till he arrive and detail his plans. But let us now think of yours. I was going to say, |