CHAPTER XIV.
John Eames Takes a Walk John Eames watched the party of cavaliers as they rode away from his mother's door, and then started upon a solitary walk, as soon as the noise of the horses' hoofs had passed away out of the street.
He was by no means happy in his mind as he did so.

Indeed, he was overwhelmed with care and trouble, and as he went along very gloomy thoughts passed through his mind.

Had he not better go to Australia, or Vancouver's Island, or--?
I will not name the places which the poor fellow suggested to himself as possible terminations of the long journeys which he might not improbably be called upon to take.

That very day, just before the Dales had come in, he had received a second letter from his darling Amelia, written very closely upon the heels of the first.

Why had he not answered her?
Was he ill?
Was he untrue?
No; she would not believe that, and therefore fell back upon the probability of his illness.