and receive a new set of emigrants, and provide for their wants.'

"That sounds very nice.'

"There is room and plenty for everybody even without capital, when once some organization has taken place. You will like it, Edith. The Baroness McLaughlan may hold a little court if she likes.'

'Oh no, Gerald.'

'The editor of the Standard at Buenos Ayres is a friend of mine. I have a great many friends, both Spanish and English, about Monte Video and Paraguay. Let us go, Edith; it is for your sake as well as my own that I take this step: you would not be quite at ease in England as I

wish to see you. Copenhagen has been

very well for a time, and you have recovered yourself now; and, my dear, I could not be idle any longer.'

'I object to nothing, Gerald.'

'You will like your new home and

your assured position. Lilian will be enough to persuade you to leave this: her welfare shall be certain, and with you for chaperone-you see how far-seeing I am.' "Then is Lilian to go too?'

'Yes; and one object in my journey to London will be to place a goodly sum to accumulate for your baby, in gratitude to you, that she may not only be lovely and accomplished, but wealthy-this—Lilian McLaughlan.'

'She will be very beautiful; but her education?'

'Shall be cared for. She will be with you and with me. She will have nothing to unlearn, and in ten years we can bring her over to finish and polish if we like.'

'We could not leave her in Paris on account of the war, or I might have proposed it,' said Ella.

6

That is out of the question, so be happy, for I conclude you would like to have her.'

'Of course I should.'

'Then, Edith, you will aid and abet

me?'

'I will, Gerald. I believe it is for my sake that you go to South America. You think I should not be so happy in England.'

'Nor would you.'

'You are right. With all my determination not to resent former times, it would be difficult for me to meet people whom I used to know. Mr McLaughlan, you understand me better than I do myself; you see my weakness, and where I might be tempted. I have often heard you say there is a great difference between emigrants and immigrants. Which shall I be?'

'You are my wife. There is all the difference in the world between emigrants and immigrants, so a capitalist should go out first to hold himself ready with supplies to sustain them, and with a scheme

ready to employ them; otherwise time is lost and energy is wasted, and it is the hope of the emigrant being dashed to the ground by disappointment which has been the downfall of more projections than one.'

'I will be ready,' said Ella, 'any time you like, to go to Hull. I used to be very impatient. I wanted to see the grass grow; but I am able to wait now, so will remain at Liverpool with Lilian till you have finished all preparations; it is a well arranged scheme.'

McLaughlan was looking out of the window into the broadest street in Copenhagen, one of the widest, indeed, in the world. He repeated something to himself as he gazed on the passing carriages, which ended about ten years,' a line from the Blessed Damoselle.

281

CHAPTER XIII.

THE RING DISPOSED OF.

Ꭱ

UDOLF and Bessie had remained in

Paris until they were hastily dismissed by the breaking out of war. It seemed incredible, but the knowledge that Napoleon had left St Cloud, and the after news that the Prince Imperial had received his baptism of fire, induced even stolid English minds to accept facts which they had objected to before.

Bessie had a lovely son and heir to travel with her to England.

Robert met the party in London, and took his brother, Bessie, and his nephew to visit Lord Dunburgher, who received them