ton broke the seals, and he had to hold on
by the arms of his chair; while the memo-
randum was being read, his jaw dropped,
and his face turned to livid through half the
colours of the rainbow. You would have
called it a sudden spasm of cholera. But
here comes supper.
-dinner-which you
like, and very thoughtful it is of Hugh, for
I never ordered it. When a fellow thinks
of the happiness of others in a sudden flush
of prosperity, why he deserves all he gets.
Sit down, Rivington."

- eb, Childersleigh? I always told you you would repent that bit of Quixotry.

"At least you have the satisfaction of knowing yourself a true prophet," returned Childersleigh, impatiently.

"I said you would be sorry for it, and I was sure you would. But in those days Mrs. Childersleigh led you by the heartstrings, and there was no use arguing with you.'

66

"You followed your own line," pursued Barrington, imperturbably, as if Hugh had never spoken, and all your friends could do was to take theirs. You would not care to buy it back, would you, if it came into the market by any chance?"

"Well, well," said Childersleigh, who had mastered his passing irritation; 66 If I Hugh himself, the bearer of many apolo- was a fool to listen to foolish counsels, you gies from his wife, came back to do the must confess we have come off better than honors. If he had screwed up his reso- we deserved. As for Childersleigh, I own lution to contemplate the antipodes with I would rather talk about anything else. positive pleasure, his mind flew naturally It used to be a pleasant subject, but enough back to old habits of thought, when nowthe heavy pressure that had borne on it was removed. Then he was given a fresh lease of those home friendships that had stood such fiery tests, and spared a fresh series of experiments on colonial human nature. Considering how honestly his heart had been set on the toil and adventures that awaited him, it was strange how little he regretted them. He resigned himself with complacency and good temper to extending himself once more on a bed of roses, and it only seemed the more tempting that the rose-leaves were strewed for him by the little hands of his wife.

Hugh looked at him in silence. Joys are like sorrows, he thought, and you often flush them in coveys.

"Because if you did, I don't mind letting you have it for what I gave. You see I have one place in Norfolk already, and don't much care about another. The liquidators were in such a deuce of a hurry to sell, that I was tempted to sink my spare capital at Childersleigh, and they tell me

"Upon my word, for a man so bent on emigration as you were yesterday, you bear up wonderfully," said Rushbrook; "for II had it reasonably enough." don't suppose you intend to occupy cabin "You are not trifling with me, BarringNo. 7,- or whichever the number wasin the Tanjore?"

66

No, I fancy we shall defer our visit to Queensland till Barrington gives us a passage out in his steam-yacht. And I am sorry for it. The Tanjore cabin was so snug, and the steward and stewardess tipped in advance. But I must say, now I dare to think of it, Hants and Surrey did look lovely to-day, and I don't know that I shall be sorry to see them again to-morrow. Heigho!" His face clouded slightly as he closed the sentence with a genuine sigh. The truth is, his thoughts had travelled back by the South-Western to Childersleigh, gone beyond recall. After all, the Childersleigh money had come too late. To him England could never again be all it might have been.

Did Barrington divine what was passing in his mind? Was he on the watch for certain symptoms, for certainly in general he was no very quick observer. At any rate, the others thought he might have spared their friend a painful subject when he said, -"Pity now you parted with your place

ton?"

"Not I, indeed. I should have prepared a dramatic surprise for you and Mrs. Childersleigh, when I had persuaded you to pay me a visit. But in the first place, I thought it was no use letting you fret yourself uselessly. God knows you have had bother enough lately. And then McAlpine, whom I took into the secret a few minutes ago, suggested there would be nothing original in it, that I should find the idea in Waverley. So Childersleigh is yours whenever you like, my dear fellow. You ought to find everything from the weathercocks to the doormats just as you left it, and if you choose to rough it on a scratch establishment, I see no reason why you should not go there to-morrow, and wind up your honeymoon under the ancestral trees. Bless you, my dear fellow, I was convinced you would want the place sooner or later: it was only a question of time. I had hoped to have been out of pocket by the arrangement, but it is fated I shall never pay off that Homburg debt of mine with its compound interest. And now," said Barring

ton, concluding the longest and most successful speech he had ever made," suppose we leave him to sleep on the events of the day. I'm afraid you are not quite out of your trouble yet, Hugh, and are in for a broken night after all you have gone through in the evening."

CHAPTER XL.

HOME AT LAST.

for the day, although he nominally occupied his rooms at Hestercombe House.

Lord Hestercombe arrived in the course of the afternoon in a state of visible excitement, and took an early opportunity of claiming his nephew's services to do him the out-door honours of the place.

"I have not seen it since your father's time, except that evening when I ran down for the funeral. I should like to know that things have not changed much for the worse in your absence." And when he got his nephew out of earshot his lordship broke out: "You don't happen to have heard the news from Wurzelshire?" "What news?"

"I really don't think it did. I don't fancy I spoiled any chance I may have with him."

"And this time you would stand if he were to repeat his offer?"

IT was bright autumn, and all was life at Childersleigh. The house had cast off its weeds and put on the garments of gladness. The gravel was scored with wheels and dinted with hoof-marks, the stable-yard "I thought not. I only chanced to hear lumbered with dusty carriages, smoking it as I passed through the town. Poor Rohorses and hissing grooms. The triumphal per, who came in for the county when you arches that spanned the gates of the park declined, shot in the thigh at a battue at and church-yard had cost Patterson many a Worsley. Couldn't stop the bleeding; sleepless night, and Childersleigh some went off in a couple of hours." little vexation. The church-bells rang out 66 Ah!" those doleful merry peals that gave a tinge "Yes, most melancholy business; leaves so sad to English merry-making. Without, a young widow and half-a-dozen children. the house was en fete; within, there was So we must have a man in the field forthliterally house-warming, for Mr. and Mrs. with, and the address must be ready for the Childersleigh had come down to take day after the funeral. The Liberals have formal possession of their home. Assur- been hard at work with the registration edly no one would have looked to see Lord roll. I'm only afraid your refusing last Hestercombe staying calmly on the borders time may have hurt you with Dunstanof the London postal dictrict in October, burgh." or his son lingering in the metropolis while the cock pheasants were crowing peacefully in the Hestercombe coverts. But Rushbrook, resolved on matrimony, was not the man to stand loitering on the threshold of the temple of Hymen. Moreover, philosophically evoking good from evil, in the failing state of Maude's father's health, he had seen a golden chance of being married in rational fashion, without having his modesty shocked by the demonstrations with which, in normal circumstances, the heir of the Hestercombes would have been paraded before the altar. His own mind made up, he easily imposed his will on his father, for the Earl was haunted with the apprehension that his only son might slip back through his fingers to hopeless bachelorhood. Lady Hestercombe herself was made the intercessor with her destined daughter-in-law for advancing the day, for, in Sir Basil's state of health, Maude was absolutely her own mistress. Hugh backed her ladyship with all his interest and eloquence, so did Lucy; and when their joint entreaties had prevailed, it had been settled the wedding should be combined with the Childersleigh house-warming. The circle assembled there limited itself to our intimate friends, Lord Rushbrook joining it

"Nothing in the world I should like better, now I am back at Childersleigh, and an idle man."

"'Gad, I'll send off a special messenger to Dunstanburgh this very day before dinner. They told me at The Travellers' he was expected in town."

And in high good-humour his lordship passed bis arm through his nephew's, built castles in the air and in Westminster, praised and admired everything he saw, and finally launched into the future of his son.

"I wish Rushbrook could be persuaded to try public life. I do wish your example would tempt him to that as well as to that other

"I fear it will not, but there's no saying. I am quite sure he would distinguish himself if he cared to try. Few men have sounder sense, and I can imagine no one more likely to be ready in debate. However, he is active by nature although idle by habit; and once married and settled may want a pursuit."

"I suppose marriage is the best thing that could happen to him?"

66

No question of it. Rushbrook is just the sort of man that marriage is the making of; he wants an anchor to keep him from drifting. By the way, as it turns out, I fear Maude will have little more money than what she takes under her mother's settlements."

"We have married heiresses too often in our family that money should be an object with us now-a-days. The worst of it is, if one does go to the City, people will give you credit for finding a fortune there. My feeling is, that it is a pity, in the circumstances, Sir Basil does not retire in name as well as reality."

66

Retiring is the one thing that would touch him now, and moreover, the new partners pay heavily for taking over the name of Childersleigh with the business. The difference it makes in the purchasemoney may involve the present firm's escape from insolvency."

Then what becomes of the son? I confess I dislike him infinitely more than anything else in the connection."

"I assure you I don't quarrel with your taste. Purkiss, I believe, remains in the house, ostensibly a partner, actually a cypher, the new men are much too shrewd to trust his vaunted talents. And I don't envy his lot. What with the loss of fortune, occupation, and prospects, and the perpetual fret to his vanity, the bitterest enemy he has made might be content with his punishment. You may bear with him in the meantime, for if ever I read a man's future in his face, poor Purkiss will not trouble you long."

As the pair strolled towards the house in friendly chat, a servant bustled out to them with a letter for Mr. Childersleigh, marked "immediate." Hugh opened it with an apology to his uncle, and then passed, it to him with a smile.

of offering him their congratulations on a day so auspicious. Nevertheless he was a little surprised when Mr. Hooker's name was brought him, as he was on the point of retiring to dress for dinner. "Send bim up," he said, after a moment's hesitation. And Mr. Hooker entered, his scrupulously brushed garments bagging on his wasted form, rubbing his hands nervously in the old fashion; his worn face plastered with greasy smiles, distrust and suspicion lurking in the corners of his lips and eyes, feeling the ground as he advanced into the room, like a Highland pony picking its steps among moss-hags.

"Oh, Mr. Childersleigh, that I should have been spared to see this happy day!"

Thanks, Hooker," said Mr. Childersleigh, rather brusquely. Well, now you may sing your Nunc dimittis - I mean you'd better go down and get some dinner before you go back to town."

64

66

Oh, Mr. Childersleigh!"

Never mind them now. I'll take the rest of your congratulations for granted." But, sir-Mr. Childersleigh

46

there

may possibly be unfavourable impressions. I should be happy to take this opportunity

"I'll spare you the trouble of discussing my affairs. If you have anything to say about your own, say on."

"Well, Mr. Childersleigh, if, as an old servant of the family, not that it was that brought me here, I need hardly say, if I might venture to request your countenance and recommendation in the new profession I have been constrained to adopt in my old age

"Which is ? "

"So you were right about Dunstanburgh," exclaimed the peer, "and I confess nothing can be more handsome or flattering. If Dunstanburgh comes after you a second time, he believes you will do him credit, and I never knew him deceived in a man yet. You may possibly have to fight the seat this time, but there can be no rational doubt of our winning it, and as for the expenses, they must be my affair. Nay, no words about it. I gave into you about "By the way," said Hugh to his guests, Rushbrook's wedding and your house-warm-when the ladies had left the dinner-tableing here, and I am quite determined to have my own way in this."

If I should take to underhand dealings at any time, I shall infallibly think of you. Good-evening."

66

by the way, I have just had a call from an old friend, cone to beg me to advertise him." And he rehearsed his little dialogue with Mr. Hooker with much animation.

The very best thing he could take to," | and known him well. To Hugh it seemed observed Lord Rushbrook, "now that he but yesterday that he was loathing the dead has been stripped of every shred of the man and longing to be rid of him on any character he took such care of. He looks terms. But now his thoughts flew back to so respectable, and is such a thorough- the earlier days, when they had been allies paced scoundrel!" and intimates, if not friends. In his unfeigned grief over the fate of his former acquaintance, he felt in genuine charity with his surviving enemy, and could Hooker have penetrated his remorsefully generous intentions, the shock of his son's fate would, doubtless, have been softened to him. Hugh's friends respected his evident emotion, if they did not altogether sympathize with it, and Lord Hestercombe broke in on a hush that was becoming painful, by making the move to leave the table.

"Suppose, Rushbrook, we set him agoing with an engagement," observed McAlpine. "Retain him to hunt down that precious son of his. He is more likely to run into him than any one else, and just the man to do it, if you make it worth his while!"

"Ah, that reminds me! " exclaimed Barrington, who had arrived by a late train before dinner. "Will you allow me to ring for the evening paper, Hugh? There is something in it will interest you all, although it must deprive Mr. Hooker of the engagement you kindly intend him." He took the paper from the servant, and

read aloud

It was a relief when his guests, dispersing for the night, left Hugh alone with his wife to take actual possession of their home, and give free vent to their thoughts.

66

Hemprigge dead, Purkiss and scores of better men beggared! I wish you could tell me, Lucy, why I should be wedded and rich and happy when so many have come to frightful grief in the rush for wealth?"

66

They were as they showed: you were always better than you seemed. They have had their reward, as you have. You helped Mr. Barrington in the first of your prosperity, and saved yourself Childersleigh. You thought of me in the shock of your own adversity, when no one else did, and

"No great merit in that," interrupted Hugh, thinking his wife looked more lovely than ever in her defence of her husband against himself.

"Horrible tragedy - Murder of an absconding Secretary. By the latest journals from the Havannah, we learn the tragic end of the notorious Mr. Hemprigge. Hemprigge, it would appear, had taken his passage at Cadiz for Cuba. On board the Spanish mail-boat, the play at monté had been even deeper than usual, and heavy sums had changed hands, greatly to the advantage of the fortunate Englishman, who travelled under a nom de voyage. Arrived at the Havannah, it would seem Hemprigge had lingered on, giving his victims their revenge," until whispers of foul play were followed by threats that, doubtless, reached his ears. Literally on "And as you took his happiness in charge the eve of his intended departure for Aspin--and mine, you must really forgive us for wall, a stranger returning to the Fonda de doing something for yours in our turn. l'España stumbled over his yet warm body how you would have resented anything of almost on the threshold of the hotel. The the sort, Hugh, when I first knew you! unhappy man had been stabbed under the arm from behind, and when picked up, life was extinct. As his watch and costly jewellery were found on his person, revenge was presumed to be the motive of the crime. The arrival shortly afterwards of the English detectives, who had followed him from London, led to an identification, subsequently placed beyond all question by documents discovered in his luggage.' There was general silence. Except Lord Hestercombe and Barrington himself, all of them had known Hemprigge personally,

But

I believe you are right, Lucy," he laughed. But since then I have seen my best-laid schemes fail, and my wisdom turn to folly; even my honour might have gone in the match with time, had I not persuaded you to take charge of my education. And now I am quite resigned to accept yourself and your fortune, and everything else you and heaven may have in store for me as the price of my obedience."

"If Lord Rushbrook only makes Maude half as happy," murmured Lucy, half closing her eyes in her ideal paradise.

Macmillan's Magazine.
PORTRAITS AND MEMOIRS.

BY R. H. HORNE.

He has never realized the effect of a dear familiar old room utterly metamorphosed by new furniture and strange pictures on the walls; or, far more stinging to the nerves, the same furniture and general appearance without those with whom they were associated the melancholy table, the vacant seat. Every time the door of the room is opened by somebody outside, what a disappointment to the instincts of the heart! But he had not thought of that beforehand. Old walking-sticks, hats, umbrellas, old arm-chairs, how suggestive they are, how rife with the keenest emotions of personal associations and tender memories; yet how little had they been anticipated. No wonder at this and other mental purblindness, when probably he was almost unconscious of the deep-trenched lines in his own face, and the iron-grey, or solemn snow-fall, of his own hair.

THE wanderer in far distant lands who looks out of his window upon strange people and strange scenes; or, seated with his back to the trunk of a tree in the lonely wilderness, contemplates the thronging maze of trees and stems, till, dazed with the apparent sameness, his emotions and thoughts are driven back upon himself, ceases, in process of time, to compare these things with scenes in his native country, and gazes upon them for what they are in themselves, and with reference to his own isolated existence. Sometimes, when looking up at the stars, seen furtively through the ragged waving tops of lofty forest-trees, and also at times when standing in the shadow of some rock or other darkness, watching or waiting on a special duty, with his horse silently feeding around him at the How clearly and vividly, how minutely in length of an unbuckled bridle, the wan- all their circumstances and details do some derer may say to himself, "What is the dif- persons we had formerly known, present ference to me-what does the reality themselves to the imagination, as though amount to-between this place and my far- not years and months, but scarcely weeks off native land? Here, where I am stand-or days, had intervened. A fragile form is ing in darkness, or amidst the imperfect now before my mind's eye as distinctly as light of midnight woods, might be some it was in reality more than twenty years part of England; and to-morrow morning ago! The slender figure is seated by a fire I shall see my dearest friends." Yet how in the drawing-room of Mr. G. S., the pubpurely imaginary this is, for many of those friends have passed away. He will see them no more. The sense of personal identity misleads him; "the mind is its own place," and yet the difference between an exile's dwelling and his native home may be that of the distance of half the world! land or water- and, in many cases, it may be the yet greater difference and distance of a little narrow grave. Still, the vague idea of sameness, or of proximity, will occasionally present itself, and is in general a consoling influence.

But an equally remarkable phenomenon becomes habitual with most of those who have been very long absent from their native land, viz. the loss of a true sense of the progress of time, and with it a loss of the anticipation or prevision of those changes, by age or by death, which must inevitably have occurred at home, no news of which, in so many instances, will have reached him. He has watched the sun and moon rise again, and ever again, and recognized them as the same he delighted in at home; but he has not foreseen the whitening of the hair of those he left in their youth, nor speculated with solemn inward tears upon the painful sunbeams across the grave-stone, and the cold moonlight and black shadows of the old village churchyard.

lisher of a novel which had bought the authoress at one bound to the top of popular admiration. There has been a dinnerparty, and all the literary men whom the lady had expressed a wish to meet, had been requested to respect the publisher's desire, and the lady's desire, that she should remain "unknown" as to her public position. Nobody was to know that this was the authoress of "Jane Eyre." She was simply Miss Brontë, on a visit to the family of her host. The dinner-party went off as gaily as could be expected where several people are afraid of each other without quite knowing why; and Miss Brontë sat very modestly and rather on her guard, but quietly taking the measure of les monstres de talent, who were talking and taking wine, and sometimes bantering each other. Once only she issued from her shell, with brightening looks, when somebody made a slightly disparaging remark concerning the Duke of Wellington, for whom Miss Brontë declared she had the highest admiration; and she appeared quite ready to do battle with one gentleman who smilingly suggested that perhaps it was "because the Duke was an Irishman."

Now it should be premised, that the writer of these papers had sent a presentation copy of a certain poem, addressed in