But if Susan Palmer failed to observe the tearful eyes of her daughter, she did not neglect to watch her guest and to see how he slighted her delicious broiled partridges and cream rolls. “I am afraid you are not as hearty as usual this morning, Mr. Bruce!” she said at length. “Oh, quite so, thanks! But this is rather earlier than I am accustomed to take breakfast,” said the young man ingeniously. Susan had the good sense to seem satisfied with the explanation; but she remembered all the while that the early breakfast hour had not prevented Mr. Bruce from making a valiant onslaught upon the edibles on the occasion of his last visit. As soon as breakfast was over Ronald prepared to take leave of the family. His horse was brought around to the door by ’Sias. “Now I hope you will come to see us just as often as you can conveniently, Mr. Bruce! Why, a visit from you, with your sea stories, is as good as a voyage round the world to John and the boys, penned up as they are in this here wally with a wall of mountains round them! Come often, sir! And la! why, if breakfast at seven o’clock in the morning is too airly for you, we might have it at eight or nine, or any time,” said Susan Palmer cordially, as Ronald Bruce took leave of her. “Thanks, very much; I shall remember your kindness,” returned the young man, without committing himself by a promise. He took a light and cheerful leave of the younger members of the family, and then went to the window where Em. stood looking out. She turned as he joined her. He took her hand and said: “I do not know when I shall be permitted to see you again, my dear and only love; but be sure of this—I will never give you up, Em.! Never, as I hope for heaven! God bless you, my darling!” And so saying, he pressed her hand and turned away. John Palmer went out with him. “I am sorry, sir, that I cannot join in my wife’s invitation to you. But under the circumstances I think you and Em. had better not see each other again. I am grieved to the soul, I am, about all this. And—see here! I cannot let you go in this way! I’ll tell you what, now, listen! If you will agree not to see, or to speak to, or write to Em., or to hold any sort of communication with her, for the space of one year from to-day, and if at the end of that time you and Em. retain your partiality for one another, and you come to me with the written consent of your lady mother and your gentleman uncle, why, then I will take back all my objections to the match! There, now! I can say no more than that. What do _you_ say?” demanded John in a frank, hearty, almost joyous manner. The countenance of the young man was not, however, gratefully responsive. “I ask no concessions of you, Mr. Palmer, because I can make no promises. I _must_ have Em. for my wife if I can, and as _soon_ as I can. Her happiness, as well as my own, depends upon it!” he answered, as he placed his foot in the stirrup and threw himself into the saddle.