"My mother will be gratified to see you, if it is only for a few moments." But Mr.Lyon placed a hand upon her arm, and said: "Stay, Miss Markland--that cannot now be.

I must return South without meeting any other member of your family.

Did you receive my letter ?" he added, abruptly, and with a change of tone and manner.
Fanny answered affirmatively; and his quick eye read her heart in voice and countenance.
"When I wrote, I had no thought of meeting you again so soon.

But a few hours after despatching the letter to your father, enclosing yours--a letter on business of importance, to me, at least--I received information that led me to wish an entire change in the programme of operations about to be adopted, through your father's agency.

Fearing that a second letter might be delayed in the mails, I deemed it wisest to come on with the greatest speed myself.