The old times at Trevorsham seem to me so remote, that I can hardly
believe that we are the same who were so happy then. Nay, Jaquetta
laughs, and declares that it is not possible to be happier than we
have been since, and Fulk would have me remember that all was not
always smooth even in those days.

Perhaps not--for him, at least, dear fellow, in those latter times;
but when I think of the old home, the worst troubles that rise before
me are those of the back-board and the stocks, French in the school-
room, and Miss Simmonds' "Lady Ursula, think of your position!"

And as to Jaquetta, she was born under a more benignant star. Nobody
could have put a back-board on her any more than on a kitten.

Our mother had died (oh! how happily for herself!) when Jaquetta was
a baby, and Miss Simmonds most carefully ruled not only over us, but
over Adela Brainerd, my father's ward, who was brought up with us
because she had no other relation in the world.

Besides, my father wished her to marry one of my brothers. It would
have done very well for either Torwood or Bertram, but unluckily, as
it seemed, neither of them could take to the notion. She was a dear
little thing, to be sure, and we were all very fond of her; but, as
Bertram said, it would have been like marrying Jaquetta, and Torwood
had other views, to which my father would not then listen.

Then Bertram's regiment was ordered to Canada, and that was the real
cause of it all, though we did not know it till long after.

Bertram was starting out on a sporting expedition with a Canadian