dying out, and even his brave-hearted Ella smiled less cheerfully
than was her wont to do he resolved to try his fortune in the
far-famed home of the weary emigrant. This resolution he communicated
to his wife, who gladly consented to accompany him, for England now
held nothing dear to her save the graves of her parents, and in the
western world she knew she had two sisters, Sarah having some years
before gone with her uncle to New York.

Accordingly the necessary preparations for their voyage were made as
soon as possible, and when the Windermere left the harbor of
Liverpool, they stood upon her deck waving a last adieu to the few
kind friends, who on shore were bidding them "God speed."

Among the passengers was George Moreland, whose parents had died some
months before, leaving him and a large fortune to the guardianship of
his uncle, a wealthy merchant residing in Boston. This uncle, Mr.
Selden, had written for his nephew to join him in America, and it was
for this purpose that George had taken passage in the Windermere. He
was a frank, generous-hearted boy, and though sometimes a little too
much inclined to tease, he was usually a favorite with all who knew
him. He was a passionate admirer of beauty, and the moment the Howards
came on board and he caught a sight of Ella, he felt irresistibly
attracted towards her, and ere long had completely won her heart by
coaxing her into his lap and praising her glossy curls. Mary, whose
sensitive nature shrank from the observation of strangers, and who
felt that one as handsome as George Moreland must necessarily laugh at
her, kept aloof, and successfully eluded all his efforts to look under
her bonnet. This aroused his curiosity, and when he saw her move away
to a distant part of the vessel, he followed her, addressing to her
the remark with which we commenced this chapter. As George had said he