In the third letter Paul told her to direct next to Paris, where he should remain till the first of the year; after that he should be travelling, and she must not be worried if she heard nothing for some months. He omitted in his haste to mention that Mr. Curtis and himself had joined a party of Americans and were intending to travel with them for the rest of the winter; and that Mr. Jackson, (who with his wife, and a younger sister were members of the party) having turned out a mere fortune hunter, found it very convenient to have some one to play the agreeable to his wife; and relieve him from a duty already become irksome. This was the last they heard of the travellers for many months; and knew not therefore where to direct letters. In May there was news for him; for on the first of the month when the fields were expected to be green, and the flowers in profusion, all of which the lateness of the season prevented, a second little blossom came to gladden Gertrude's anxious heart. This was a boy, strong and resolute, who bid fair to fight his way in the world. Without a moment's hesitation his mother called him Paul, thereby proving, that however her husband regarded her, the affection she had professed for him remained in all its force. Bridget's faculties were now brought into full play. She lived but for her darling; and proved herself so faithful a nurse that Gertrude still found many hours every day which she could devote to her books. She was now wanting six months of being nineteen, an age when many young ladies are leaving school, fancying their education complete; but when Gertrude was just awaking to the delight of gaining knowledge. Her thirst for it seemed almost unquenchable. She applied her acquisitions to a practical use, keeping all the farm, as well as the family accounts; and greatly amusing Marion, who had staid on from time to time, because her friend would not part from her, by sending for a book and studying the diseases of cattle; and finding cures for their various ills. If Gertrude could have been relieved of anxiety concerning her husband, she would now have been perfectly happy. She was not only a pet but a companion to her brother, who confided to her his most important cases; and told her the course of argument he intended to pursue. For his sake she interested herself in polities; and often surprised him and Marion by her shrewd remarks. July was ushered in by a terrific thunder storm. Marion had insisted that she must leave directly after the fourth; and they were all congratulating her that she was not already in the cars. Edward who came up every night did not appear till an hour later than usual; and then looked so very stern and forbidding that Gertrude gazed at him in wonder, and profound astonishment.