were not more overwhelmed than Godfrey coming back to his native place. The enthusiasm of the people evinced to one on the cliffs of Dover-to the other on the shores of Calais, was not more cordial-more boisterous. It was a demonstration of others love, and others sympathy worth living for! As they turned in at the entrance gates, the rampant lions grinned as aristocratically as they did when the flaming yellow chariot swept past with poor Jemmy Jingles. But Simon gazed at these new objects with an excited look, and he essayed to spell the motto of the great Salopian house, "Nobilis est ira leonis," but the flourishing as well as the latinity defeated his scholarship. Godfrey issued orders that the landlord of the Plough should distribute as much of his best October to the villagers as they desired; but with the very proper qualification, that none should be tipsy, for he yet nurtured his old hatred against inebriety.

The Rector bustled down to the Hall, in all the force and impatience of his impassioned nature-shook each and all of the De

Bohuns by the hand-then gave full and free expression to his delight that that arch hypocrite, as he termed Mr. Clynchiere, and that swindler, as he dubbed Jemmy Jingles, were gone. With an inopportune precipitancy he said it had of late been a matter of considerable regret with him that there were so many shufflers and querks in the law, whereby heads could sometimes keep out of the Jack Ketch noose, and had it not been so he might then have with gratulation reflected, that Inglis had stretched a piece of hempen rope before the dingy façade of Newgate! "However," concluded the pious divine, "it is to be hoped the vagabond will swing in mid-air on a future day."

The spinster sisters? The reader need not ask the question. They, too, hurried off to demonstrate their welcome, and pour upon the returned a whole shower of congratulations; and the sororal twain, like unto their spiritual master, avowed their hatred-nay, their utter abhorrence, to the Clynchieres.

The Reverend Mr. Meek called not until the following day. He had sorrowed at sor

row-he now rejoiced at joy; but all sentiment with him was subdued and tranquil. Even at such a crisis as this, he remained calm. He would have deemed it beneath his dignity, as at variance with the staid and holy spirit of an ambassador of Christ, to have given the rein to intemperate exultation. When a reference was made to the Londoners, he spoke in the tone of mercy and regret; and, at the same time, impressed Godfrey with the reflection that there is One who knoweth of our "goings out and comings in, and who spyeth out all our ways." Odd as it might have appeared to the rector, or the spinster sisters had they been there, Mr. Meek essayed not by hints, nor yet more open declaration, to darken the character of, nor exult in the evil days, which had overtaken the fallen. He would rather have reproved any who would have done so, and made a timely allusion to the metaphorical illustration of the beam and the moat.

Once more under your ancestral roofthank the Giver of such good favour to you and yours, Godfrey De Bohun, ere you lay your

head upon your pillow. You have had your trials, and your heart hath been lacerated. But a day of "thick darkness and storm" has passed away, and the sky-smile of better times has now lit up that short remaining portion of your earthly path which you yet have to tread, ere you reach the bourne which bridges between time and eternity!

CHAPTER VIII.

66

Slowly departing to return no more

He rests in holy earth with them that went before."

Rogers' Human Life.

FOR Some time nothing transpired at the village demanding any particular notice in the course of our narrative. The even tenor of a quiet life was fully appreciated after the elemental warning of previous years, and every day re-impressed the calm satisfaction that their ancient inheritance was once more possessed. After their arrival the fine furniture was thoroughly scrutinized; in-door and out-door improvements examined, many an old friend with a new face recognized, and ocular testimony could scarcely