"Mrs. Manning says," continued Eugenia, "that she sent a letter a few days before this one by a man in a sailboat, round by Lake Huron, but that this would be sent through the woods by Little York. Did you get the first one?"
"No. Possibly it may not come at all, and if it does it will be later, as the way by Georgian Bay would be much longer than the overland route."
"Have you been studying geography lately?" Eugenia asked, drawing down the corners of her mouth.
"It is not long since I left school, Miss Inquisitive."
That afternoon they called upon Mrs. Mason, and as they expected, found her loquacious upon the subject of Penetang. She said that Sir John Sherbrooke and Colonel Mason had both received despatches from Sir George.
"I understand that you are a favored one, also," she continued good-humoredly, turning to Maud. "Two letters all for yourself from the little new garrison, while not another lady in Halifax has received one."
"All owing to my fortunate meeting with Mrs. Manning," returned Maud with a slight flush. "Nearly all the troops were fresh from England, so their letters would naturally be sent home instead of here. Mrs. Manning's letter is very interesting. I brought it over for you to see."
"Thank you, and may I read it to Colonel Mason?"
"Certain parts, but not all. You will know what I mean."
"I'll take care, my dear. Trust me for that--but was there not another letter?--ah, ah, my lady--but I will ask no more questions"; and Mrs. Mason, with twinkling eyes, laughed softly to herself.
"Did not a ship come in to-day?" Eugenia asked.
"Yes," replied Mrs. Mason, "with another regiment. The Colonel says it is imperative for it to leave at once for Montreal as the war is not over yet, and it has important letters to carry."
"When will it sail, or did you hear?" Maud asked.
Maud's candle burned late that night again, and when the ship left for Montreal the next evening the mail bag contained two letters for Penetang, one to Mrs. Manning, the other to Dr. Beaumont.
More than a month passed away. The fortunes of war had been ebbing and flowing first on one side, then on the other--the belligerents on neither being as yet satisfied. Still the conflict was nearing the end. News travelled slowly then; but word of battle, even when three weeks old, was just as interesting as it is now when the happening was only yesterday.