the roof, and poor old Simon, who had not only become garrulous by age but morbidly sensitive to every impression, grew lachrymose with joy. some day be a titled leddy, he'd always said so, and to just think her husband, Sir Murdoch Douglas of Castle Duncraig, Scotland, had come to Griffstaye, and was actually now beneath that roof! The reality of such a thing positively bewildered the decaying brain of the faithful old servant. He would next talk about Sir Murdoch's luggage-go that very night on the Corporal to fetch it, then he precipitately became loquacious in asking about My Lady and Her Ladyship; then he ran off to Castle Duncraig, which he declared was three times as large as Holyrood, and it was his belief that the Baronet was one of the mightiest individuals in the northern division of the empire, andand poor Simon, he was more overcome than ever when Sir Murdoch came into the kitchen and grasped his hand. It was indeed to Simon a splendacious clutch!

He knew Miss Kate would

It was not until the following morning

that Sir Murdoch

resolved to tell the

purport of his visit. On the night of his arrival he had much to say and much to listen to; Godfrey since he had seen him had become in every way an altered man, and this unanticipated pleasure had in no slight degree excited him. In repetition did the young Baronet's eye involuntarily fix upon his father-in-law, and every time it did he was more and more satisfied of the mental and bodily breaking up of his relative. A seasonable opportunity presenting itself, Sir Murdoch spoke as follows:

"My dear relatives, I think you will confess that I am the bearer of welcome news. You have had your trials-trials of

no common description. There is a termination of evil fortunes as of good.

The

clouds of life may gather, but at length the sun breaks through, and its gladsome beams shed cheeriness and joy, where all had been sombre and depressive. Meritorious services. and virtuous deeds are often tardily rewarded -and evil machinations not unfrequently for a season prosper; but the retribution of

a never failing justice at last overtakes the perpetrator, or those who immediately succeed him. You were cruelly driven from your time-honoured home-a usurper became the possessor of your long-transmitted inheritance. That man is now a beggar-I believe a wanderer. I have purchased Elleringay— the mansion, estate, furniture, fixtures, pictures, plate, everything are mine. I now come to lay upon you the injunction to return, and, Captain De Bohun, so long as you live, it is at your service. I will occasionally be your visitor; Katherine and our boy will accompany me, and at least for your life the rental is at your disposal!"

Godfrey partially fell back in the chair; when he had come to himself, he was about to decline this generous offer. Sir Murdoch would listen to no excuse.

"Your son, sir, was one of the noblest and best friends I ever possessed. I revere his memory; and were it for his sake alone, I would make the offer I have done. But, sir, I am your debtor for giving to me that which is one of the world's most inestimable

VOL. III.

M

gifts—an affectionate, a perfect wife. I am allied to you by a close relationship. 'Honour thy father and thy mother, that thy days may be long in the land,' was commanded amongst the thunders of Sinai."

"It may be, then," replied Godfrey, after a brief pause, "that I am destined, after my wanderings, like Israel of old, to be gathered to the burying-place of my fathers."

"My earnest hope is, that such will not be till you are full of days!"

The family having conceded to this generous proposition, Sir Murdoch retraced his steps to Scotland, feeling devoutly thankful that he had been the happy instrument in diffusing so much gladness.

Little was now talked of save Elleringay. The young ladies were delighted, and so was Mrs. De Bohun; as to Godfrey, he had become so innured to his Welsh habitation, that he thought less about the return than

might have been supposed. His earthly sojourn was gradually waxing to a close. He appreciated Sir Murdoch's nobleness, and was consoled and comforted when he reflected

that Elleringay would, even after so many calamities, yet revert to those of his own blood. When Simon was informed of this. intelligence-which the young ladies in the telling legitimately embellished-he shed tears in very abundance, and, according to his wont, assured them of his pre-vision of that felicitous consummation of so many misfortunes. Yes, simple-minded, lachrymose Simon knew that Elleringay would come back!

Elleringay rang with delight when the news reached of Miss De Bohun's husband having purchased the estate. Over the ample fire at the Plough, Shears, the modern Theophrastus, the man of spokes and felloes, and other sons of the soil, talked the subject threadbare, and Sir Murdoch was magnified into a very Croesus. The Rector rode over to Sir Harry's at the bursting point, in order to inform him, and the spinster sisters, who now had, doubtless, indistinct visions of hot negus and strawberry feasts, were veritably in ecstacies! None received the announcement with stoic placidity, save the very im