Privately, he was heard to say that had he anticipated the advent of Roberts into the fray, he would never have come forward to contest the seat, and Roberts’ coming was not made known until it was too late for him to withdraw. Flushed with the result of his efforts at Broadstone, Roberts returned to town, hoping, although scarcely expecting, that he might hear something from Mr. Quinion with regard to the statements he had made whilst on the stump. He knew him to be a man who prided himself on his public reputation for fair dealing, and as this had been seriously impugned, he would not have been surprised had he received such a communication. But the Oracle remained dumb, and Roberts’ prospects did not improve; so that in a little while it threatened to become a serious question in what way he was to keep the wolf from the door. He was told, however, on reliable authority, that one of the members of the firm had been heard to say he was very sorry they had been induced to make the changes complained of—it was no doubt a mistake, but it was too late now to rectify, as they dare not contemplate recalling their acts or retracing their steps. For good or ill, a certain course had been marked out, and it must be pursued. *CHAPTER XIV.* *CONVALESCENTS.* "Our remedies oft in ourselves do lie, Which we ascribe to heaven." _All’s Well that Ends Well_, Act I. sc. i. During the months which had intervened since we last followed the fortunes of our friends at the Ranch, events had been moving forward most favourably. Fellows had so far recovered that he was now able to resume work, and but for the scars of the burns received, which were still visible on face and hands, there was little outwardly to denote the terrible sufferings he had gone through. The young woman who had suffered so severely in the fatal railway collision was just capable of getting about, but the doctor said it would yet be some time before she acquired the full use of her limbs. To lighten the arduous duties of Mrs. Ranger, which the care and attention needed by the invalids had necessarily thrown upon her, the services of Russell’s daughter, so opportunely rescued by Fellows, were called in, and proved a most invaluable aid. Miss Russell, to whom Sir Walter Scott’s descriptive line might well have been applied, "Sweet was her blue eye’s modest smile," was a remarkably intelligent young woman, scarcely nineteen, who three years before, on the death of her mother, had emigrated with her father, and found employment at Farmer Ranger’s Ranch. She was not regarded as a field-hand, but employed in domestic and home duties, which, properly attended to, were sufficient to occupy the major portion of her time, leaving little to be wasted in idleness. A fresh hut or shanty had very speedily been raised upon the site of the one destroyed by the fire, and Russell had resumed his old habits.