Among the articles she had to dust was a square Indian box with drawers.

It had always been called "the writing-box," and it was partly filled

with paper and other materials for letter-writing. She stood before the

open lid thoughtfully, and a sudden overwhelming desire to send some

message of apology to Mrs. Gordon came into her heart. She could write

pretty well, and she had seen her mother and Joanna fold and seal

letters; and, although she was totally inexperienced in the matter, she

determined to make the effort.

There was nothing in the materials then to help her. The letter paper

was coarse; envelopes were unknown. She would have to bring a candle

into the room in order to seal it; and a candle could only be lit by

striking a spark from the flint upon the tinder, and then igniting a

brimstone match from it,--unless she lit it at the kindled fire, which

would subject her to questions and remonstrances. Also, the quill pens

must be mended, and the ink renewed. But all these difficulties were

overcome, one by one; and the following note was intrusted to the care

of Diedrich Becker, the old man who worked in the garden and milked the

cows: To MISTRESS COLONEL GORDON: HONOURED MADAM: My father forbids that I

come to see you. He thinks you should upon my mother call. That you will

judge me to be rude and ungrateful I fear very much. But that is not

true. I am unhappy, indeed. I think all the day of you.

Your obedient servant,

KATHERINE VAN HEEMSKIRK.

"'The poor child," said Mrs. Gordon, when she had read the few anxious

sentences. "Look here, Dick;" and Dick, who was beating a tattoo upon

the window-pane, turned listlessly and asked, "Pray, madam, what is it?"

"Of all earthly things, a letter from that poor child, Katherine Van

Heemskirk. She has more wit than I expected. So her father won't let her

come to me. Why, then, upon my word, I will go to her."

Captain Hyde was interested at once. He took the letter his aunt

offered, and read it with a feeling of love and pity and resentment.

"You will go to-morrow?" he asked; "and would it be beyond good breeding

for me to accompany you?"

"Indeed, nephew, I think it would. But I will give your service, and say

everything that is agreeable. Be patient; to-morrow morning I will call

upon our fair neighbour."

The next morning was damp, for there had been heavy rain during the

night; but Captain Hyde would not let his aunt forget or forego her

promise. She had determined to make an unceremonious visit; and early in

the day she put on her bonnet and pelisse, and walked over to the Van

Heemskirks. A negro woman was polishing the brass ornaments of the door,

and over its spotless threshold she passed without question or delay.




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