life. He rather made the best of his position and steadily looked on
the bright side.

Besides, he maintained a regular correspondence with his friends.
That correspondence was the only recreation and solace he allowed
himself.

Almost every day he wrote to Bee, and he received answers to every
one of his letters--answers full of affection, encouragement, and
cheerfulness.

And at least once a week he got letters from Judge Merlin, Mr.
Middleton, and Mr. Brudenell, all of whom continued to urge him to
pay them visits as soon as his business would permit. Only one more
letter he got from Reuben Gray; for letter writing was to poor
Reuben a most difficult and dreaded task; and this one was merely to
say that they should expect Ishmael down soon.

From Judge Merlin's letters it appeared that Lord and Lady Vincent
had extended their tour into Canada East, and were now in the
neighborhood of the "Thousand Isles," but that they expected to
visit the judge at Tanglewood some time during the autumn; after
which they intended to sail for Europe.

Ishmael continued to push his business for six or seven weeks, so
that it was near the first of September before he found leisure to
take a holiday and pay his promised visits.

Two weeks was the utmost length of time he could allow himself. And
there were four places that seemed to have equal claims upon his