good-night to his housekeeper, he went upstairs.

Yet, in spite of all that Trenholme's pleasure in the letter and the
possession of the photograph might betoken, the missive, addressed to a
lady named Miss Rexford, was not a love-letter. It ran thus:--

I cannot even feign anger against "Dame Fortune," that, by so
unexpected a turn of her wheel, she should be even now bringing you
to the remote village where for some time I have been forced to make
my home, and where it is very probable I shall remain for some years
longer. I do, of course, unfeignedly regret the financial misfortune
which, as I understand, has made it necessary for Captain Rexford
to bring you all out to this young country; yet to me the pleasure of
expecting such neighbours must far exceed any other feeling with
which I regard your advent.

I am exceedingly glad if I have been able to be of service to Captain
Rexford in making his business arrangements here, and hope all
will prove satisfactory. I have only to add that, although you must
be prepared for much that you will find different from English life,
much that is rough and ungainly and uncomfortable, you may feel
confident that, with a little patience, the worst roughness of
colonial life will soon be overcome, and that you will find compensation
a thousand times over in the glorious climate and cheerful prospects of
this new land.

As I have never had the pleasure of meeting Captain and Mrs. Rexford, I
trust you will excuse me for addressing this note of welcome to you,
whom I trust I may still look upon as a friend. I have not forgotten the
winter when I received encouragement and counsel from you, who had so