father and hers were more warmly attached than most brothers. Dorris is a woman whose friendship will be beneficial to you, and I know they will all try to make you happy. If you are not contented, of course you can come home when an opportunity occurs.
I have no time to write more to-day. Hoping to hear immediately when you have decided which course to pursue, I am
Your affectionate guardian,
John Tremaine.
New York, Nov. 30, 1877.
My dear Dorris,—I am sorely perplexed. I have received a letter from a young man in Vienna,—Roger Fisk by name,—who is studying medicine abroad. Since his sojourn in Europe he has met Judith, and claims to have an undying love for her. He is twenty-six years of age, has no money, and cannot marry for years. He says that Judith returns his affection, but will give no promise without my sanction.
I have written to him, of course. I told him that my ward was too young to enter into any engagement; that in another year she would be her own mistress, but that, meantime, I could not consent to her making him any promise.
I am at a loss to conceive how these mutual confessions were made, when I supposed Judith to be in a strict boarding-school. I am shocked at this revelation, and cannot think of keeping her longer in such guardian-
