ordinary, I must allow, though often such things are, in reality, tokens of answers to prayersmarks of that providence that rules and watches over us all. Yes, you, as well as myself—

It took me some time to realise the fact that Mr. Grant wished to consult any one, much less myself, so that I did not attend to his long opening exordium, until the words "Lady of Glynne" startled my ears.

"Where is she?" I exclaimed, hurriedly, laying my hand on Mr. Grant's arm, and bringing him forcibly and abruptly to a sudden stop.

I had time to repeat my question more than once, ere he could recall his thoughts from the stream in which they had been running.

MR. GRANT. Miss Offley, what-how? I do not know. I am sorry to say I never asked my Lord; yet we ought to have done so, Louisa.

NELLIE. My Lord!

Where did you see him? Have you heard of him? Oh, speak, Mr. Grant, tell me at once!

MR. GRANT. Upon my word, this is most inexplicable, Louisa. I am still more glad we came. NELLIE. Is my Lord in England?

I said this in a slow, indifferent voice. Mr. Grant should not be delayed in answering by any vehemence on my part. But hope and happiness would speak out of my eyes, throb wildly in my heart; we should see them all again blessed be the Grants!

:

MR. GRANT. No; I think not, Louisa. I think my Lord said he was about to leave. NELLIE. But you have seen him?

MR. GRANT. I think he said he was going to Ireland.

NELLIE. Ireland? Oh, happiness!—they really have returned! And "the Lady"-the dear Lady!—she is at Harrington Court?—she sent you for me?

MR. GRANT. Upon my word, Miss Offley, I am quite at a loss to understand you. Can you, Louisa?

MRS. GRANT. No, by no means. It is entirely affectation on your part, I must think, Uriel. NELLIE. Then, say what you have got to say. I wish to

I wish to go and see my cousin.

MR. GRANT. We do not know-we ought to have asked-our own cousin. We do not know where she is laid. In foreign lands, of course, is her grave.

X 2

CHAPTER XXX.

Hold! A stigma, though deserved,

When a child brands it, makes the hearer weigh
The censure with the sin; but if unjust-

No, no, you could not mean it.

Anne. Say, I did—

What warrant cites me to your bar?

Thorold. That instinct

Which makes the honour'd memory of the dead

A trust with all the living."-MARSTON.

"THE poor Lady" dead! Of what?—when?

Did she die happily? Was she fit? Was she fit? Was it painful? The tears would gush forth, in quick floods, while the Grants upbraided themselves with having neglected to ask where she was buried.

By degrees, they consoled each other with the promise that their omission should be atoned for by letter.

MR. GRANT. My Lord's direction is Glynne Castle, I believe. We will write immediately, Louisa-to-day.

NELLIE. Did you see my boy? Was Neville with his father?

MRS. GRANT. Of course, Master Glynne was with his papa.

Even in that moment of intense pain and pleasure combined, the incongruity of the word "Master," applied to the young Glynne, appeared to me ludicrous. At the most important times do people think the most trivial nonsense. NELLIE. And on what did you wish to consult me, Mr. Grant?

I did my best to be calm.

MR. GRANT. Exactly; let us return to the important matter, for which I have taken this long journey. I might say something about the expense, but that is not so much an object to

me now.

MRS. GRANT (joyfully). No, indeed.

MR. GRANT. And yet, Louisa, we must not be wasteful squanderers,-Miss Offley, "the Lady of Glynne," our cousin, has left us the Harrington Court estate.

NELLIE. Mr. Harrington, then, is dead?

MR. GRANT (really a little out of temper). Be so kind as to allow me to proceed. An hour nearly gone, and not one word have I been able to say.-No, he is not dead. In fact, he is still alive.

Mr. Grant paused, as if to give me time to contradict that statement; then finding nothing was said, he proceeded.

"I think I ought to have said Harrington Court has become mine by a deed of gift, partly owing to the Lady of Glynne's' spoken bequest, and partly owing to Mr. Harrington's express desire. Finally, my Lord of Glynne seems to have been their principal adviser and controller in the matter."

NELLIE (irresistibly). Of course.

MR. GRANT. I could find fault with your interruption, were it not that I came expressly to inquire of you if such was likely to be the case, because (and here Mr. Grant's usual monotonous and unpleasing voice, assumed a character of decision and manliness that spoke pleasingly on the ear)-because, in that case, I do not feel justified in accepting the estate.

It