“I think,” said Ermine, bringing herself with difficulty to answer quietly, “that you can hardly understand the terms they are on without having seen how much a staff officer becomes one of the family.”

“I suppose much must be allowed for the frivolity and narrowness of a military set in a colony.  Imagine my one attempt at rational conversation last night.  Asking his views on female emigration, absolutely he had none at all; he and Fanny only went off upon a nursemaid married to a sergeant!”

“Perhaps the bearings of the question would hardly suit mixed company.”

“To be sure there was a conceited young officer there; for as ill luck will have it, my uncle’s old regiment is quartered at Avoncester, and I suppose they will all be coming after Fanny.  It is well they are no nearer, and as this colonel says he is going to Belfast in a day or two, there will not be much provocation to them to come here.  Now this great event of the Major’s coming is over, we will try to put Fanny upon a definite system, and I look to you and your sister as a great assistance to me, in counteracting the follies and nonsenses that her situation naturally exposes her to.  I have been writing a little sketch of the dangers of indecision, that I thought of sending to the ‘Traveller.’  It would strike Fanny to see there what I so often tell her; but I can’t get an answer about my paper on ‘Curatocult,’ as you made me call it.”

“Did I!”

“You said the other word was of two languages.  I can’t think why they don’t insert it; but in the meantime I will bring down my ’Human Reeds,’ and show them to you.  I have only an hour’s work on them; so I’ll come to-morrow afternoon.”

“I think Colonel Keith talked of calling again—­thank you,” suggested Ermine in despair.

“Ah, yes, one does not want to be liable to interruptions in the most interesting part.  When he is gone to Belfast—­”

“Yes, when he is gone to Belfast!” repeated Ermine, with an irresistible gleam of mirth about her lips and eyes, and at that moment Alison made her appearance.  The looks of the sisters met, and read one another so far as to know that the meeting was over, and for the rest they endured, while Rachel remained, little imagining the trial her presence had been to Alison’s burning heart—­sick anxiety and doubt.  How could it be well?  Let him be loveable, let him be constant, that only rendered Ermine’s condition the more pitiable, and the shining glance of her eyes was almost more than Alison could bear.  So happy as the sisters had been together, so absolutely united, it did seem hard to disturb that calm life with hopes and agitations that must needs be futile; and Alison, whose whole life and soul were in her sister, could not without a pang see that sister’s heart belonging to another, and not for hopeful joy, but pain and grief.  The yearning of jealousy was sternly reproved and forced down, and told that Ermine had long been Colin