I MUST pass rapidly over the succeeding months. The first of October found Gertrude in her old home renewing her acquaintance with every nook and corner of the farm, caressing the old house dog, coaxing the draught horse to let her mount for a ride, and winning anew the hearts of the neighbors by her evident sympathy with all that concerned them. Bridget was there too, having accompanied her master and mistress to New York at Edward's special request. He could see that Hannah's lame ancle made it painful for her to be on her feet from morning till night, as had been her custom; though she would acknowledge nothing of the kind, the young lawyer was sure Bridget's faithful service would turn to good account on the farm, when once initiated into the mysteries of butter and cheese making, raising Jersey calves and rare kinds of fowls. Paul sailed from New York the last week in September, remaining in the city only three days. He was astonished to find that his brother-in-law had gathered a lucrative practice; for the gentleman had been very reticent concerning his own affairs, and was surprised into the remark: "I've been thinking for some time that I made a mistake in going to Chicago; and perhaps if I don't succeed in making a good thing of this patent business I shall never go back." It only needed this, to confirm Edward in his opinion of Paul. He was wanting in perseverance. "'Unstable as water thou shalt not excel,'" his father had frequently quoted to him, when he wished to leave college to go into mercantile business, or any where that he saw a prospect of rapidly accumulating a fortune. During his visits to Chicago, Mr. Wallingford had learned that his brother-in-law was not considered as established in that city;—that he talked openly of going to Rochester or some place farther East. He bid Paul adieu at the wharf with a belief that it was the lawyer's intention to abandon his wife for some years. In January Gertrude went to New York city, where her brother had engaged board for her and Marion who had promised to pass the rest of the winter with her friend. Here the best teachers were provided for the ardent scholar; who was bent on improving every hour of her husband's absence in fitting herself to ensure his respect. Constant employment was necessary to her happiness, else memory carried her back to the parting with Paul, so cool and careless on his part;—while she wept and clung to him as if she were never to see him again. Once a month he had promised she should have a letter from him informing her where to direct to him. For three months he kept his word. His letters were short, and one was addressed to Edward, requesting him to forward some documents necessary to his success; but they were more kind than his wife had looked for, and her spirits rose accordingly. She gained both strength and color in these quiet days; reminding Marion when she came on, of the bride when she first saw her.