PART III.




CHAPTER I.


It was a beautiful summer afternoon when the coach set me down at my
father's gate. Mrs. Primmins herself ran out to welcome me; and I had
scarcely escaped from the warm clasp of her friendly hand before I was
in the arms of my mother.

As soon as that tenderest of parents was convinced that I was not
famished, seeing that I had dined two hours ago at Dr. Herman's, she led
me gently across the garden towards the arbor. "You will find your
father so cheerful," said she, wiping away a tear. "His brother is with
him."

I stopped. His brother! Will the reader believe it? I had never heard
that he had a brother, so little were family affairs ever discussed in
my hearing.

"His brother!" said I. "Have I then an Uncle Caxton as well as an Uncle
Jack?"

"Yes, my love," said my mother. And then she added, "Your father and he
were not such good friends as they ought to have been, and the Captain
has been abroad. However, thank Heaven! they are now quite reconciled."