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things. What a delight it would be for her and Jingles to go and visit him there, and how many bright visions were in such proposition in perspective.

"But, my dears," said Gideon tenderly, to Mr. and Mrs. Jingles, "my only fear is, that after a life passed so long in active employment, I should feel the country dull and tiresome as soon as the novelty had worn off. Active minds, Jingles, active minds, feed upon themselves, and in such pabulum become fretful, if they have no rational object of pursuit-I mean objects of more weighty import than simple amusements and trifling pleasures."

"True-true," returned Jingles, with a visage that would fain seem wise as Thur low's. "However, I would give up poring in those dreary chambers in Lincoln's-InnFields; law is a hard, dry, uninteresting occupation. You might try agriculture for a time. Sidney Smith says, every man consoles himself that he can farm a small property and drive a gig. If you really found you could not go on without some more

exciting matters to attend to, I think a plan might hereafter be devised to relieve the tedium of mental vacuity."

Clincher gave a pantomimie nod, indisputably symbollizing that his inner man coincided with the very wise, and very feeling observations of Mr. Jingles.

And what said Godfrey, or rather what felt Godfrey, subsequent to the departure of the pseudo M.P.? Pity, aye pity, so often dry-eyed and stony-breasted, could not have avoided kerchiefing her orbs had she known the crushing agonies of his bosom.

Surely in the loss of such a son, in the blasting of such long-cherished hopes, 'twas a scourge severe, an earth-cup bitter enough. Well might he mourn the past and dread the future-his day of disaster was presaged, as certainly as told the writing on the wall at Belshazzar's feast.

It would be redundancy of detail here to narrate the legal processes, which, in as quick succession as such processes could be executed, were brought to bear on the defenceless head of the client. These kind of par

ticulars are not savoury aliment whereon to feed the curiosity of the many. Without delaying the unwelcome fact, suffice it to say that with more than wonted celerity the Elleringay estate was publicly offered for sales but the appointed day brought no purchasers whose offers came up to the reserve bid. Its disposal was inevitable, and a subsequent negotiation rendered it the property of Gideon Clincher. The modern Solon was now the possessor of a hoary mansion and fair fields. The future was full of promise, and his only hope was for length of days to enjoy that world on which his heart was fixed. With trembling hand Godfrey signed the fatal instrument, which conveyed for ever from him and his the lands which for centuries had been owned by those who had borne his name. De Bohuns and Elleringay were heneforth to be associations only held in remembrance, the last bond of union was snapped asunder, and the descendant of the Plantagenets must pass as a stranger from his once owned patrimonial possessions.

A man of failing fortunes, says Ovid, is

like a decaying column, which the more it breaks, the greater superincumbent weight will it have to sustain. Godfrey had divers reditors in addition to Clincher, who like Jack Falstaff's men in buckram, increased in number on the counting, but the sums were small. The sale of his property was the signal for their clamorous demands; like hovering eagles they now descended, with the intent of voraciously clearing up the morsels which the legal talons might cast for their prey. The most unwarrantable epithets were employed in speaking of the unfortunate debtor, and in the vituperative spirit of malignant detraction, even his very virtues — virtues they once lauded — were construed into vices, and there seemed to be a merit in darkening his name.

In no great length of time Gabriel, accompanied by a burley personage, made another visit to the Plough. This time the

little man assumed no covert character, nor did he deem it expedient to pay any particular attention to either Fallow or the schoolmaster, who, according to their wont, visited

that hospitable hearth. Circumstances had altered cases. Fallow was or would be a tenant, and the other would be compelled to be subservient for patronage to the new squire. Gabriel and his professional companion had considerable business at the hall; they took an inventory of all the goods there contained, and ere long published a bill of sale. The family miseries thickened with every succeeding day, and the total overthrow of its fortunes now began to be really apparent.

There is no condition entirely divest of comfort; there are none so unhappy but find some kindlier hearts to sympathise. Whatever the rector's feelings might be, he had, as previously insisted upon, some real virtues. When the fates and the world seemed to ruthlessly turn against his neighbour and his friend, his own pitying heart overflowed with tenderness, and it was in his nature to extend the hand of friendly assistance. Yes, he declared that until some plan could be arranged, the De Bohuns should find a home beneath his own roof— that his house should be theirs.

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