I always look upon flowers as the trophies of God’s grace.  Mary, I trust you yet will be able to attend to the cultivation of Heaven’s choicest offerings, and remember, that by so doing, you only contribute a small share in the beautifying of nature.”  Having enjoyed this strain of converse for some length of time, Mary Douglas rose, exclaiming, “Now, Papa, you are at my service.”  Sir Howard bowed, and offered his arm to his fair daughter.  Together they went out, being greeted by the merry party still lingering on the verandah.  “Explain, Mary,” said the foremost of the party, “this breach of confidence and utter contempt of the necessities of your friends.  We have been vainly waiting your appearance to join us in a walk, and now it is nearly time to dress for dinner.”  “Very prettily said, Lady Rosamond,” replied Sir Howard, “but as I wear my lady’s favour, you will grant me a hearing on her behalf.”  Pointing to the spray of mignonnette and forget-me-not which Mary Douglas had placed on his coat, he continued, “I hope that your company has employed the moments as profitably.  We commenced with vows of love and constancy, then followed topics of general conversation, and ended on the study of flowers.  With this explanation perhaps some of this goodly company might favor us with a like result.”  “I venture to say, your Excellency, that in the present instance, we might too clearly prove the old saying as regards comparisons,” returned Lieut.  Trevelyan, “and would therefore enjoin silence.”  “Ah, no, Mr. Trevelyan,” said Miss Douglas, “we will not allow our claim to be set aside in this manner.  We must muster courage in our own self-defence as an offset to your acquiescence, or else papa will wear his laurels very lightly.”

“In the first instance,” said she, “we were admiring the beautiful sunset, the soft outline of the hills, and the beauty of the landscape.  Is that not worthy of describing, papa?” The eldest daughter of this distinguished family made this appeal with a face beaming with the enthusiasm of her deep appreciative nature.  Anne Douglas possessed not the great beauty of her sister Mary, yet was a lovely and loveable woman, capable of inspiring deep regard.  Sir Howard acknowledged by saying, that if she continued, the comparison would turn the weight on the other side.  “Not yet, papa dear,” said Miss Douglas, “you must hear further.  We were speaking freely of our warm reception from the citizens, of the social resources of Fredericton, its commercial interests; and before you joined us, were planning to ask your assistance, by giving your views and opinion of Fredericton in its general aspect, as presented on your arrival.”  “Mr. Trevelyan,” ventured Sir Howard, “I am sorry to acknowledge that the ladies have sufficient cause to charge you with desertion of your colours; but the end may not justify the means.”  “Ah, papa, your inference is indirect—­you will not surely justify Mr. Trevelyan.”  “In the present state of affairs,” exclaimed