“But it does not become you and me to compliment one another, my darling,” he took up his newspaper. Upon the whole, this was a very cheerful breakfast. When it was over, the old gentleman ordered his horse, and went for his daily ride. Drusilla took advantage of his absence to set all the servants briskly to work to open the closed rooms, and clear away the debris of yesterday’s great festival, so that by the time he should return the whole house should be restored to order. The abundant remains of the feast were distributed to the poor around. Moreover, she sent a note to the Seymours, asking them to come and spend the evening. And the messenger that carried it brought back their acceptance of the invitation. Drusilla and her uncle dined tête-à-tête. In the evening the Seymours came according to agreement; and Drusilla gave them music. They stayed till ten o’clock, and then took leave. “No wonder that old comrade of mine should go mad over your music, my darling. I am not a music-maniac myself, generally, but I am always profoundly affected by yours,” said the General, when they were gone. Again Drusilla blushed deeply under the praise, but then recovering herself with a light laugh, she answered: “Why, you see, uncle, I think this is the way of it. You and the Colonel inspire me. Such appreciating hearers as yourself and your friend must necessarily inspire even the very poorest performer to do her very best.” “Tut, tut, tut, my child; you know better! But, there, I will say no more on that subject! Good night, my darling,” he said. And so closed the first dreaded day of Anna’s absence. And all the succeeding days were quite as pleasant. Drusilla would not let her old friend be lonesome. She planned visits for him and herself to his favorite houses; and she invited his favorite friends to dinner or to tea. She often accompanied the old man on his morning rides, her gentle white mare ambling by the side of his steady old horse. She often invited him to take a seat in the open carriage when she went out in the afternoon to give her little boy an airing. And she played and sang indefatigably to please Colonel Seymour, so that he might come over every evening, “rain or shine,” to keep her uncle company. Anna’s and Dick’s letters came two or three in a week. They were not very long, for they were written _en route_; but they were interesting and affectionate. They were filled with graphic sketches of their journey, and with warm expressions of tenderness for the “dear ones at home,” and messages of kind regard to good friends around. The bride and groom were moving rapidly from point to point along the Canadian frontier, so that in answering them the General and his niece had to direct their letters a few stages in advance of the travelers. As, for instance, the answer of a letter post-marked Lewisburg, would be directed to Montreal.