off into a long discussion about free labour and protective duties.
But at the present moment Maurice Cumming had another vexation on his
mind over and above that arising from his wasted hours at Spanish
Town, and his fruitless labours at Mount Pleasant. He was in love,
and was not altogether satisfied with the conduct of his lady-love.

Miss Jack had other nephews besides Maurice Cumming, and nieces also,
of whom Marian Leslie was one. The family of the Leslies lived up
near Newcastle--in the mountains, that is, which stand over Kingston-
-at a distance of some eighteen miles from Kingston, but in a climate
as different from that of the town as the climate of Naples is from
that of Berlin. In Kingston the heat is all but intolerable
throughout the year, by day and by night, in the house and out of it.
In the mountains round Newcastle, some four thousand feet above the
sea, it is merely warm during the day, and cool enough at night to
make a blanket desirable.

It is pleasant enough living up amongst those green mountains. There
are no roads there for wheeled carriages, nor are there carriages
with or without wheels. All journeys are made on horseback. Every
visit paid from house to house is performed in this manner. Ladies
young and old live before dinner in their riding-habits. The
hospitality is free, easy, and unembarrassed. The scenery is
magnificent. The tropical foliage is wild and luxuriant beyond
measure. There may be enjoyed all that a southern climate has to
offer of enjoyment, without the penalties which such enjoyments
usually entail.

Mrs. Leslie was a half-sister of Miss Jack, and Miss Jack had been a
half-sister also of Mrs. Cumming; but Mrs. Leslie and Mrs. Cumming