CHAPTER IV.
A lonely dwelling, where the shore Is shadowed with rocks, and cypresses Cleave with their dark green cones the silent skies, And with their shadows the clear depths below.
SHELLEY.
The winter was a long one to the separated family.

Quietly won through, and busily.

The father in the distant legislature; the brother away at his studies; and the two or three lonely people at home; -- each in his place was earnestly and constantly at work.

No doubt Mr.Landholm had more time to play than the rest of them, and his business cares did not press quite so heavily; for he wrote home of gay dinings-out, and familiar intercourse with this and that member of the Senate and Assembly, and hospitable houses that were open to him in Vantassel, where he had pleasant friends and pleasant times.

But the home cares were upon him even then; he told how he longed for the Session to be over, that he might be with his family; he sent dear love to little Winifred and Asahel, and postscripts of fatherly charges to Winthrop, recommending to him particularly the care of the young cattle and to go on dressing the flax.