Perhaps Cornelia was within call, and would thus afford a means of cutting the Gordian knot at once.

No! he remembered now that she had walked over to the village for the afternoon mail, and would not be back for some time yet.

And Sophie--poor child! she would not leave her room for two weeks to come, at least.
"I wonder whether they ever want to see any thing of the outside world ?" said the old gentleman to himself, elevating his chin, and scratching his short, white beard.

"Reasonable to suppose they could appreciate something better than the society hereabouts! A picnic once in a while--sleigh-ride in winter--sewing-bees--dance at--at Abbie's; and all in the company of a set of country bumpkins, like Bill Reynolds, and awkward farmers' daughters! "It won't do--must be attended to! The good education I was at such pains to give them--it'll only make them miserable if they're to wear their lives out here.

I'm getting old and selfish--that's the truth of the matter.