"Captain," said his reverence, when the sale was announced, "make out a list of such articles as you wish to retain, and I will advance you the money with infinite pleasure." He did not say he would give it to him, knowing too well the tender feelings of a high-bred gentleman, but such was the polite way in which he conveyed his intimation of a donation.

It was indeed a heart-rending spectacle to witness the old hall after fixtures and furniture had been removed; every apartment breathed of desertion and loneliness. During the many generations of De Bohun's tenure no such catastrophe had befallen it. Those rooms lately enlivened by cheerful voicesthose corridors which had echoed to boisterous juvenality had now been crowded by unfeeling visitants-the sacred hearths profaned by jeering strangers. When the inquisitive throng had departed, a mournful and melancholy silence brooded beneath that roof, and in every aspect a sombre tale was told. Few sights more deplorable could have been witnessed.

For ages plenty and prosperity had been within its walls: for ages hospitality and and good cheer had been liberally dispensed. Centuries had hoared its ivy-covered buttresses, and many a winter's storm it had withstood unmarred, but the day had now come when it presented the picture of piteous distress; even the most insensible felt some inward touches for the havock which had fallen on an ancient home-aye, on one of those homes, the abode of such comfort and the scene of such happiness of which England alone can boast. Tradition and history had cast a halo over its corroded turrets, and clothed its sharp gables with a romantic interest. Here the fifth Henry had led the dance on gala day-here Elizabeth and her lover Leicester had graced the plenteous board. The great Cecil's name still told the royal visit on the antiquated pane, and here the last of the Stuarts planted the spreading hawthorn, which yet blossoms on the emerald lawn. Without the De Bohuns, what would be the old hall, or Elleringay, or the Elleringaytonians! The associations of an ancient

race are not easily destroyed; human nature has a veneration for all that belongs to antiquity, and such as have reference to the past are ever more revered than the things of the present.

After much heart-burning, much argument, and many deliberations, it was determined. that the unfortunate family should repair to Wales. Griffstaye was unoccupied, and it needed only trifling repairs to render it suitable for their reception. It is true it was a wild out-of-the-way part of the country, but it offered an asylum not to be despised, and with a moderate outlay it might be rendered tolerably comfortable. This little property, together with a small yearly income, had been settled on Mrs. De Bohun. the disposal of Elleringay, a trifling residue remained, and thus, from one source and another, it was possible for the family, with rigid economy, to exist. It is true the change would be a most apparent one, but wisdom dictated that to husband their means with diligence, and live thereon, was now the only and wisest mode of procedure. There

After

is a tendency in our nature to give the rein to useless murmurings, and feed remembrance on bitter regrets; but how vain-yea, vain as when the ancient lashed the Hellespont-futile as when the Thracians shot their arrows in the sky, menacing Jupiter because it thundered.

The day of departure at length arrived and it was indeed a day of bitterness. Godfrey's heart sickened at the thought of taking a last farewell of that spot of earth which he loved more than all the world beside. Mrs. De Bohun and their children endeavoured more heroically to bear against this hour of trial, and besought the stricken father to sum up, at least, the external appearance of fortitude. Farmer Fallow had kindly volunteered his team for the conveyance of their goods and chattels. He had been born and all his life lived on the estate, and his grandfather held tenure of the lands which he now cultivated-he felt a kind of kindred interest in the family, and, worthy man, he proved himself one of the few who remain unchanged by circumstances, faithful in adversity as in prosperity.

"Captain," said Fallow, as he brushed a tear from his bronze-hued cheek, "from my heart I regret your departure, but allow me the honour of tendering my little service in this, your time of trouble. During a long life I have received numberless kindnesses from you and yours. Though my rude tongue cannot word nicely-turned expressions, as I am a mere plain son of the soil, yet let me prove by any assistance I can offer, that I lack not in that high respect which your honoured name commands. Had the young squire been spared, you would have found in him the stay and consolation which age instinctively seeks from those of younger years. Like yourself, as you are aware, I once was blest with a boy; it pleased providence to snatch him from me, and now I till the glebe and drive my flocks and herds alone, yea, often with a heavy breast; but my sand of life, like your own, captain, will soon be run, and my grey hairs be laid in darkness for ever!"

Godfrey shook Fallow cordially by the hand, he appreciated the faithfulness of his