stood still and seemed hesitating whether to go or remain. Mr. Martin at
last observed this, and asked him if he had any thing more to say. "Why,
yes, Sir, if I thought that it would be right to tell you what I have
heard; but as it was only Peggy Oliphant that told me, I am afraid it may
not be true; as, I think, you or my mistress would have had a letter
yourselves, if the news had been really what she says." "What is it, my
dear, that you have heard? Peggy Oliphant's news I think cannot be of any
great consequence." "Yes, but it is, Sir, should it be true; for she says
her master read in the paper this morning that Capt. Elliott has taken a
French ship and has brought her safe to England." "That is indeed
important, John, and I must lose no time in ascertaining the truth of it.
Have you mentioned this story to any one but me?" "No, Sir, not a word; I
thought it best to come and tell it to you directly." "That is right, my
man; now you must promise not to tell any other person a word of the
matter till I return; I shall go up to Mr. Elliott's and see the paper
myself, before I say any thing to my wife, least it should prove some
mistake of Peggy Oliphant's."

Mr. Martin set out immediately for Mr. Elliott's, saying to his wife, he
was going to take a little walk. And John, having asked how Miss Helen
was, and heard she was continuing better, set about planting his
greenhouse slips. He found he had two or three different kinds of
geraniums, a rose-bush, and one or two myrtles. "O," said he to Nelly, who
stood by while he planted them, "I wish they may thrive, I shall have such
pleasure in giving them to Miss Helen, when she is better. Do you think
the Minister would let them stand in the study window, if I was to ask
him? for the sun shines best there, and I will take great care not to make
any dirt when I water them in the evening; you know, Nelly, I am to come
here every night to read to the Minister, and I can water them then." "You
come here every night to read to the Minister! You are surely dreaming,