hand to bid him farewell. Life was ebbing fast

away.

"Do not go yet," she said, summoning her remaining strength to speak. "I mind it all now; Gracey died, but Lily and her mother may live."

"Of whom does she speak ?" asked Mr. Lee, of Biddy.

Biddy explained, as well as she was able.

"They were starving when I left them," resumed Norah; "and they bare your name, Mr. Lee, and Lily had your eyes, sure."

66

Good heavens!-what does she mean ?" 'Oh, find them, Mr. Lee, if they are still living and starving over that weary needlework. You are rich, and that little child was dying of want before its mother's eyes. I could not dwell there, and fled away; but that sight I never forgot. I see them now-the mother so pale and patient, and the young child clasping her knees, and crying pitifully for bread. But you will find them out, and tell them that Norah minded

"Not I, thank heaven!

"It's not a pleasant reflection, sir; but there's no need for such things. The trade's not to blame, only those in it."

"Perhaps I know nothing about it myself." "If I was a governor, I'd reform matters. But here we are at Mrs. Lee's, sir."

"Mr. Lee was amused with his versatile companion, and looked after him as he retraced his steps to the warehouse. Mr. Joncs had been gravely and seriously denouncing the evils of his trade, as he walked along with Mr. Lee; but he returned to the dull warehouse with a jaunty step, and the Australian gold finder thought it difficult to reconcile the very spruce young shopman,

air of profound unconcern, to the thoughtful, energetic reformer of the last half hour."

PART XXVII.

MR. LEE was half inclined to disregard Norah's ravings; but the earnestness with which she implored him to find out her old friends in his own country, convinced him there were glimmerings of reason mingling with the wanderings of a weakened mind. Biddy's statements confirmed his belief, and furnished with the obscure address found in Norah's pocket, he left London on this strange search-certain misgivings as to former neglect of his relatives making him hurry onwards.

The Lees had removed, and their former neigh bours knew nothing of where they now lived. One woman, however, knew the warehouse Mrs. Lee worked for, and it the gentleman sought. The "House" was bankrupt, and business was suspended; but Mr. Jones, who had "little to do," offered to accompany the strange gentleman to Mrs. Lee's house-an offer which was gladly accepted, as Mr. Lee was well nigh tired of hunting through the city in quest of strangers who had no claim upon him, he believed.

Mr. Jones was talkative, and gave Mr. Lee, with other general information, a brief sketch of his own life and that of his late employer, concealing not his stinginess, and expressing his own indignation at the prices which John Morgan paid poor needlewomen in his employment. Mr. Lee did not feel much interest in needlewomen generally, but a desire to learn something more of those he was in search of, induced him to listen to Mr. Jones's narrative.

"Quite true, sir," observed Mr. Jones, "I was ashamed myself to think how these poor creatures were served. There's that poor Mrs. Lee, aud

'Nonsense, child," answered her mother, without looking up.

A tap at the door confirmed Lily's belief, and she ran to admit the stranger.

His face was bronzed, and time had lined deeply the broad, massive brow, and the wavy brown hair was threaded with silver. He would have passed unrecognised, but his voice re-echoed one long silent, but remeinbered well. The busy seamstress glanced up. The stranger was her husband's brother.

"Annie! Can it be possible?" exclaimed Mr. Lee, as he met her tearful gaze.

this while. Why, my dog couldn't exist in such an atmosphere. You look as if you were starving, too. But don't take on so, Annie; you've had trials enough; but they're over now, thank God." Please who are you, sir ?" asked Lily.

64

Your uncle, my child. Who else should I be ?"

"I don't know you, though."

"No, its not likely you should-you were not born when I left home," laughed Mr. Lee.

"What brought you here, then, sir?" asked Lily.

"To make your acquaintance, I suppose. I hope you don't cbject."

Lily looked askance at her new-found uncle from under her long silken lashes. Her beauty and piquancy charmed him. The mother still wept, and he hated tears.

"Come here, Lily; I want to talk to you," said Mr. Lee, as Lily stole half shyly away to the window again. "Come here. You're a beauty. Of course you know that?"

"Now that's bad." Lily's face clouded. shirts."

"I cant help it. I hate

Mr. Lee shook his head. "So you're not the little busy bee that improves each shining hour ?" "No, sir."

"You'd rather be a butterfly, ch?"-Lily laughed." And I fancy you'd like to stretch your wings occasionally. You're not particularly attached to this place, I presume ?"

"No. I wish we had a nice home." "And no shirts to make, eh, Lily ?" "Oh, mamma, wouldn't that be pleasant ?" "Hush, child," answered the mother, dashing away a rebellious tear. content."

"We must learn to be

"No, you are already perfect in the cardinal virtues of patience and suffering," interrupted Mr. Lee. "And as for the poor little butterfly, we must find a greener bower for her."

The mother's tears flowed fast again. She comprehended what he said, although Lily was completely mystified.

"You must leave this place at once," resumed Mr. Lee. "You shall stop with me, or I with you. How will that arrangement suit your little ladyship?" he asked, ouce more turning to Lily. Lily was silent.

"I don't like idle people, though, you must understand, Lily."

No answer.

"I'm sorry we can't be friends-on account of the shirts, you see. If I told you I hated them as much as yourself, would that make any difference ?"

"But do you, indeed?" eagerly asked Lily, lifting her bright eyes to his face.

"To be sure I do, little fly; so now, as I am not a cruel spider of a shirt merchaut, will you kiss me."

Lily bounded towards him.

"Manima, mamma, we gave the robin our crumbs, and God will feed us.

PART XXIX.

CLARE HALL was for sale. According to advertisements, Clare Hall was a very desirable property, situated conveniently in a rapidly improving district, some miles south of the city. It was within two miles of a railway station, and fifteen minutes' walk of six churches; while possession could be had immediately.

Mr. Lee was struck with the peculiar advantages, and as he had taken a sudden determination to settle at home, he explored the beauties of Clare Hall, taking Lily in his cab from the hotel where they now stopped. It was a genial day, and Mr. Lee was in a genial frame of mind when he arrived at the Hall. The house stood on an eminenceand that was in its favour. Mr. Lee rather liked pre-eminence. It was by far the most magnificent in the district-aud that pleased him more. The grounds were ample, and in excellent order. The gardens were laid out with taste. Mr. Lee was fond of flowers, and the conservatories were filled

with the choicest exotics. A rich landscape stretched out before the windows, and wherever the eye wandered, pleasing objects met its view. John Morgan had spared no money upon his paradise and it had been his greatest pleasure to behold the admiration it excited amongst his friends. To those who knew its story, the birds seemed evermore to sing in the bushes the dolorous "Song of the Shirt." An empty house has a desolate aspect, but in the sunshine, and amongst the flowers, Clare Hall looked a home of beauty and joy--fit resting place for the weary, worn traveller. Spring was whispering sweet promises. to the opening flowers, and they wafted their fragrant welcomes around the returned exile's path. The earth seemed already to wear her summer glory. There was much left to live for yet; so the cold, flinty heart was softened, the roving spirit tamed to find a home--and that was Clare Hall.

PART XXX.

SIR EDWARD GRAVELY staid not to comfort the mourners. The day after John Morgan's funeral he disappeared, having first secured his wife's diamonds; every trinket of value, on which he could lay his hands, was appropriated by the needy baronet. Lady Gravely was destitute, while the estate was entailed; but the hope of a sen considerably alleviated her ladyship's distress. She did not think of the creditors-who had even let the family mansion and the park. Her mother had a small income secured, and on this they retired out of the world to the West of Ireland, until time should vindicate Lady Gravely's expectations.

Mrs. Morgan was considerably crushed by her misfortunes, and the unhandsome theft of her sonin-law was a keen blow to her feelings. She could have never believed that a baronet would steal his wife's diamonds. Despite Sir Edward's failings and short-comings, she had been proud of the connexion, and believed him a gentleman, although his actions were not quite those of a gallant knight and the head of an old family; but his heartless treatment of Lady Gravely had entirely lost for him the esteem of the amiable Mrs. Morgan-who was not naturally mean in her habits, and, under an accumulated mass of misfortunes, had now undertaken the care of her daughter, and the enlightenment of the heathen in Kerry, on an income of one hundred and eighty pounds, payable quarterly.

PART XXXI.

LADY GRAVELEY'S diamond bracelets were converted into cash, nor did Sir Edward preserve a solitary remembrancer of his lady far away. The costly trinkets were disposed of without reserve, nor were John Morgan's pearls spared the birthday gift of happy times. The past buried its dead with Sir Edward, who lived only in the preParis sent and thought not of the future.

afforded sufficient attractions for the Baronet. He

was not without associates and friends in the gay capital, who could, from a fellow feeling, sympa

thise with him in his troubles.

Sir Edward's time was fully occupied. The day was devoted to pleasure-the night to the business of the gaming-table. He did not always lose, and rouge et noir had a fatal spell. Amongst the Baronet's numerous acquaintances was a speculative officer, who, like Sir Edward, had been compelled to seck a city of refuge beyond the reach of writs and sheriff's officers-whose brief authority extended only over the opposite shores of the Channel.

The unworthy son of Mars, who had left his country to fight his own battles out abroad, and the gay Baronet became warm friends. Confidences were exchanged. There were peculiar reasons why neither should return to England in the meantime. It was the soldier's intention to

procced to Central America, where he held an unencumbered estate-the precise value of which was unknown-and the relative advantages of which were that, could he succeed in ingratiating himself with his tenantry, there existed no probability of bis ever being intruded upon by unwelcome friends, or disturbed by visits from uncompromising creditors, who would furnish, in all likelihood, a delightful repast to the Colonels retainers, before they reached himself.

Sir Edward was fond of adventure; he saw no hindrance to his joining the military gentleman in his great canalisation journey. Lady Graveley, he supposed, was with her mother. She could do without his protection, however; and as she could no longer contribute to his pecuniary wants, her presence was not essential to his happiness. He was beginning to feel ennui-a change of scene was desirable, and, accordingly, arrangements were entered into betwixt the friends for a journey to the far west.

"It's beside him they should have laid you, avourneen," Biddy would say. "Not here, where the grass won't grow, and there's never a tree to hang its sorrowful branches over the bare could grass here, that the blast and the rain gets lave to bate upon-all the same as if nobody was sleeping below. It's far away, Norah, honey, where the flowers wid cover ye, and the green leaves sigh for ye, darlint-though you wouldn't hear them. Its a mighty fine pillar they've put at his head, and ble. But, maybe, they'll be mighty surprised to they've put his name in gould letters on the marfind it broken whin they come to see it; and they won't think it broke cause they wouldn't let your name go wid his-and isn't Biddy Nowlan proud of the same,-though you sleep on mavourneen, and forget to bid the angels come for me ?"

PART XXXIII.

"Of what are you thinking, Lily ?" "Of our old home, Uncle Lee.'

"I thought you'd be glad enough to forget it, child."

Yes, it wasn't a nice place we lived in." "You're always harping over it, though. One back." would think you wanted to go "Oh no, Uncle Lee; please don't say that."