“Ha, ha, ha! Yes, pretty good! Yet, Hugh, you are not romancing. There are parts of the forest where the great trees grow in such thickets as you have described; but they are as impassable to the deer as to us, of course; and then there is superb game in the forest, which may never approach within miles of such thickets. Take another cup of coffee?” “No, no, not any more,” said Hugh, pushing up his plate and cup. Mrs. Hardcastle gave the signal, and they arose from the table. The children had also finished their milk and bread, and their mother took them upstairs to be put to bed, while Mrs. Garnet washed up the tea things and Dr. Hardcastle replenished the fire. When the table was cleared away, and Elsie had returned, and they were all gathered around the evening fireside, deeply engaged in telling and in hearing all that had happened to each during the winter’s separation, Hugh suddenly clapped his hand to his pocket, with a “Lord bless my soul!” “What’s the matter?” “Oh, was ever such absence of mind!” “Never in the world, of course. Only what’s it about?” laughed Dr. Hardcastle. “Why, a letter—a letter that came in the same stage with myself—a letter from Huttontown, for you. I took it out of the office, and—indeed, I hope I have not lost it,” continued Hugh, fumbling first in one pocket and then in another. “Oh, here it is,” he exclaimed, producing the letter, and handing it to the doctor. “The superscription is in a strange hand, to begin with—a lady’s hand. Whom can it be from?” said Dr. Hardcastle, breaking the seal. “Dated ‘Mount Calm.’” “Mount Calm!” exclaimed all three of his hearers, in a breath. “Yes, dated ‘Mount Calm,’ and signed ‘Garnet Seabright.’” “Garnet Seabright?” exclaimed Mrs. Garnet, in a tone of surprise and displeasure. “My little sister Nettie,” said Hugh, bending forward with interest. “Can you read it aloud, doctor?” inquired Elsie, in a low voice. “Yes, dear,” replied Dr. Hardcastle, stooping to pick up a second letter, that had fallen out of the first, and retaining the one in his hand while he read the other, as follows: “MOUNT CALM, March 1, 18—. “DR. HARDCASTLE. “DEAR SIR: Will you do me the favor of transmitting the inclosed letter to Dr. Hugh Hutton, of whose address I am entirely ignorant? Pray, pardon me for urging your prompt attention to my request, as its subject is of the utmost importance to Dr. Hutton, and requires his instant action. “Very respectfully, “GARNET SEABRIGHT.” “Here, Hugh, after all, the matter concerned only you. Here is your letter,” said Dr. Hardcastle, handing over the inclosed epistle to Hugh, who took it with a look of amazed interest, tore it open, and read it in silence. Suddenly he sprung up, overturning the chair, and dropping the letter, as he exclaimed vehemently: