She drew the letters from her work-basket, and gave them to him with another glance at her father, and a sort of beseeching look at him, as if deprecating any unnecessary alarm to Mr. Duncan. Charles Huyton understood her, and seating himself by her side, he quietly read through the two letters, and returned them; observing――“It was this, doubtless, that prevented his writing to me lately. I should not wonder if we were to see him here, before you hear again. He will, of course, return now.” She felt grateful to him for the cheerful tone in which he spoke, although she saw, by the anxious expression of his eyes, that he participated in her uneasiness on her brother’s account. “And what are your plans now, Charles?” inquired Mr. Duncan, kindly, laying his hand on his visitor’s shoulder; “have you made up your mind to become a useful member of society, a good and hospitable neighbor, a justice of the peace, or to fill any of the other duties which country gentlemen ought to attend to?” “I will place myself in your hands, my dear sir,” replied he, with a sudden glow over his countenance, which Hilary did not see; “you shall dictate what my duties are. However, I have indeed made up my mind to renounce my hermit life at ‘the Ferns;’ and, as a preliminary step, have persuaded an aunt and cousin of mine to come over to England and pay me a visit.” “Indeed! who are they?” inquired Mr. Duncan, with interest. “Mrs. Fielding was my mother’s sister, and, like her, married an Englishman. Will you do me the great favor of visiting them, Miss Duncan?” turning suddenly to Hilary. “I am anxious to give them, my cousin especially, a favorable impression of England.” Hilary replied she would be most happy; a sort of wondering feeling passing through her mind, as to _why_ Mr. Huyton was so desirous to please his cousin. Perhaps he hoped to persuade her to settle for life at ‘the Ferns,’ and then how pleasant it would be to have a friend in his wife; her countenance brightened at the idea; and her manner became more easy and disengaged toward Charles from that moment. He seemed readily to fall into his old ways, in every respect, except such as she might have objected to, and never thought of leaving them for the rest of the afternoon; taking it as much as a matter of course that he should remain to tea, as the younger girls did.