"Why, my wife and I have been thinking of going to Canada for some time, and so the idea is not altogether new. The other day Hamlyn (you know him) showed me a letter from a cousin of his who is making a good deal of money there. Having seen that letter, I was much struck with it, and having made a great many other inquiries, I laid the whole information before my wife, and begged her to give me her opinion."
"And she recommended you to stay at home in peace and comfort," interposed the Vicar.
"On the contrary, she said she thought we ought by all means to go," returned the Major.
"Wonderful, indeed. And when shall you go?"
"Not for some time, I think. Not for a year."
"I hope not. What a lonely old man I shall be when you are all gone."
"Nay, Vicar, I hope not," said the Major. "You will stay behind to see your daughter happily married, and your grand-children about your knees."
The Vicar sighed heavily, and the Major continued.
"By-the-bye, Miss Thornton seems to have made a conquest already. Young Hawker seems desperately smitten; did it ever strike you?"
"Yes, it has struck me; very deep indeed," said the Vicar; "but what can I do?"