“You will never be happy in this neighbourhood, Edward,” said his sister, sharply; for she saw that the pride her words had awakened was dying out.

“If he is not happy here, change of place will work no difference.”  Mrs. Markland spoke earnestly.

“Why not?” was the quick interrogation of Grace.

“Because happiness is rarely, if ever, produced by a change of external relations.  We must have within us the elements of happiness; and then the heart’s sunshine will lie across our threshold, whether it be of palace or cottage.”

“Truer words were never spoken,” said Mr. Markland, “and I feel their better meaning.  No, Agnes, we will not go out from this pleasant neighbourhood, nor from among those we have proved to be friends.  If Woodbine Lodge ever looks upon me rebukingly, I will try to acknowledge the justice of the rebuke.  I will accept Mr. Willet’s kind offer to-morrow.  But what have you to say, Fanny?” Mr. Markland now turned to his daughter, who had not ventured a word on the subject, though she had listened with apparent interest to the conference.  “Shall we take Mr. Walker’s cottage?”

“Your judgment must decide that, father,” was answered.

“But have you no choice in the case, Fanny?  We can remove into the city, or go into some other neighbourhood.”

“I will be as happy here as anywhere.  Do as seems best, father.”

A silence, made in a measure oppressive by Fanny’s apparent indifference to all change, followed.  Before other words were spoke, Aunt Grace withdrew in a manner that showed a mind disturbed.  The conference in regard to the cottage was again resumed, and ended in the cheerful conclusion that it would afford them the pleasantest home, in their changed circumstances, of any that it was possible for them to procure.

CHAPTER XXXVIII.

PREPARATION was at once made for the proposed removal.  Mr. Walker went back to the city, and the new owner of the cottage, Mr. Willet, set carpenters and painters at work to make certain additions which he thought needful to secure the comfort of his tenants, and to put every thing in the most thorough repair.  Even against the remonstrance of Mr. Markland, who saw that his generous-minded neighbour was providing for his family a house worth almost double the rent that was to be paid, he carried out all his projected improvements.

“You will embarrass me with a sense of obligation,” said Mr. Markland, in seeking to turn him from a certain purpose regarding the cottage.

“Do not say so,” answered Mr. Willet; “I am only offering inducements for you to remain with us.  If obligation should rest anywhere, it will be on our side.  I make these improvements because the house is now my own property, and would be defective, to my mind, without them.  Pray, don’t let your thoughts dwell on these things.”