troubles in the face, calmly and with whom the brief glimpse of her beauty fortitude, not forgetful of the last had produced a prodigious impression. words of her for whom they now As he gazed at her, the colour gramourn so bitterly, and whom, beloved dually deserted his cheek; and his eye and venerable being! God hath mer- remained fixed upon her, even after cifully taken away from the evil days she had drawn down her veil. He that are to come.

experienced emotions such as he had After much and anxious considera- never known before. So that was tion, they resolved to go, on the ensu- Miss Aubrey! ing Sunday morning, to church, where Gammon-for he it was, and he had neither Mrs Aubrey nor Kate had gone thither under the expectation of been since the illness of her mother. seeing, for the first time, some of the The little church was crowded ; al. Aubrey family-generally passed for most every one present, besides wear- a cold blooded person ; and in fact

! ing a saddened countenance, exhibited few men living had more control over some outward mark of respect, in their their feelings, or more systematically dress-some badge of mourning-such checked any manifestations of them; as their little means admitted of. The but there was something in the perpulpit and reading-desk were hung in son and circumstances of Miss Aubrey black, as also was Mr Aubrey's pew -for by a hurried enquiry of the per-an object of deep interest to the con- son next to him he learned that it was gregation, who expected to see, at she - which excited new feelings in least some member of the family at the him. Her slightest motion his eye Hall. They were not disappointed. watched with intense eagerness ; and A little before Dr Tatham took his faint half-formed schemes, purposes, place in the reading-desk, the well and hopes, passed in rapid confusion known sound of the family carriage through his mind, as he foresaw that wheels were heard, as it drew up be. circumstances would hereafter arise fore the gate : and presently Mr Au- by means of which brey appeared at the church door, with “Good God ! how very-very beauhis wife and sister on either arm; all tiful she is !” said he to himself, as, the of them, of course, in the deepest service over, her graceful figure, folmourning_Mrs and Miss Aubrey's lowing her brother and his wife with countenances concealed beneath their slow sad step, approached the pew in long crape veils. For some time after which he was standing, on her way to taking their seats, they seemed op- the door. He felt a sort of cold shudpressed with emotion, evidently weep: der, as her black dress rustled past, ing. Mr Aubrey, however, exhibited actually touching him. What was he great composure, though his counte- doing and meditating against that nance bore the traces of the suffering lovely being? And for whom-dishe had undergone. Mrs Aubrey sel- gusting reptile for Titmouse? He dom rose from her seat; but Kate almost blushed with a conflict of stood up, from time to time, with the emotions, as he followed almost im. rest of the congregation; her white mediately after Miss Aubrey, never handkerchief, however, might be seen losing sight of her till her brother, frequently raised to her eyes, beneath having handed her into the carriage, her black veil. As the service went got in after her, and they drove off on, she seemed to have struggled with towards the Hall. The reader will some success against her feelings. To not be at a loss to account for the relieve herself for a moment from its presence of Gammon on this occaoppressive closeness, she gently drew sion, nor to connect it with a great aside her veil ; and thus, for a few trial at the approaching York asminutes, exhibited a countenance in sizes. As he walked back to Grilston expressibly beautiful. She could not,

She could not, to his solitary dinner, he was lost in however, long bear to face a congre- thought; and on arriving at the inn, gation, every one of whom she felt to repaired at once to his room, where be looking on her, and those beside he found a copy of the Sunday Flash, her, with affectionate sympathy; and which had, according to orders, been rather quickly drew her veil again sent to him from town, under his over her face, without again removing assumed name “ Gibson."

He ate it. There was one person present, on but little, and that mechanically; and

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NO, CCXCVI. VOL. XLVII.

2 G

seemed to feel, for once, little or no grief. Gammon distinctly heard either interest in his newspaper. He had a sob or a sigh. “ He must have been never paid the least attention to the very fond of her," thought Gammon; eulogia upon Miss Aubrey of the little “ Well, if we succeed, the excellent idiot Titmouse, nor of Snap, of whom old lady will have escaped a great deal he entertained but a very little higher of trouble—that's all.” “ If we sucopinion than of Titmouse. One thing ceed I” That reminded him of what he was clear, that from that moment, bad for a few moments lost sight of, Miss Aubrey formed a new element namely, his own object in coming in Gammon's calculations; and for thither; and he felt a sudden chill of aught I know, may occasion very dif. remorse, which increased upon him till ferent results from those originally he almost trembled, as his eye concontemplated by that calm and craftytinued fixed on Mr Aubrey, and he person.

thought also of Miss Aubrey--and the As it proved a moonlight night, he misery-the utter ruin into which he resolved at once to set about the im. was seeking to plunge them both the portant business which had brought unhallowed means which they—which him into Yorkshire ; and for that pur- he-contemplated resorting to for that pose set off about eight o'clock on his purpose. walk to Yatton. About ten o'clock Gammon's condition was becoming he might have been seen gliding into every moment more serious ; for vir. the churchyard, like a dangerous tue, in the shape of Miss Aubrey, besnake. The moon continued to shine gan to shine every moment in more --and at intervals with brightness suf. radiant loveliness before him--and he ficient for his purpose, which was sim- almost felt an inclination to sacrifice ply to reconnoitre, as closely as possi- every person connected with the enble, the little churchyard-to ascertain terprise in which he was engaged, if what it might contain, and what were it would give him a chance of winning its capabilities. At length he ap. the favour of Miss Aubrey. Presentproached the old yew-tree, against ly, however, Mr Aubrey, evidently whose huge trunk he leaned with fold. heaving a deep sigh, bent his steps ed arms, apparently in a reverie. slowly back again, and quitted the Hearing a noise as of some one open- churchyard. Gammon watched his ing the gate by which he had entered, figure out of sight, and then, for the he glided further into the gloom be- first time, since Mr Aubrey's appearhind him ; and turning his head in ance, breathed freely. Relieved from the direction whence the sound came, the pressure of his presence, Gammon he beheld someone entering the began to take calmer and juster views churchyard. His heart beat quickly; of his position ; and he reflected, that and he suspected that he had been if he pushed on the present affair to a watched : yet there was surely, no successful issue, he should be much harm in being seen, at ten o'clock at more likely than by prematurely endnight, looking about him in a country ing it, to gain his objects. He therechurchyard. It was a gentleman who fore resumed his survey of the scene entered, dressed in deep mourning; around him ; and which presented apand Gammon quickly recognised in pearances highly satisfactory, judging him Mr Aubrey-the brother of her from the expression which now and whose beautiful image still shone be- then animated his countenance. At fore his mind's eye. What could he length he wandered round to the other be wanting there ?--at that time of end of the church, where a crumbling night? Gammon was not kept long wall, half covered with ivy, indicated in doubt ; for the stranger slowly bent that there had formerly stood some his steps towards a large high tomb, building apparently of earlier date in fact the central object, next to the than the church. Such was the fact; yew.tree, in the churchyard-and stood Gammon soon found himself standing gazing at it in silence for some time. in a sort of inclosure, which had once

" That is, no doubt, where Mrs Au- been the site of an old chapel. And brey was buried the other day,” here he had not been long making his thought he, watching the movements of observations, before he achieved a disthe stranger, who presently raised his covery of so extraordinary a nature; handkerchief to his eyes, and for some one so unlikely, under the circummoments seemed indulging in great stances, to have happened ; one so

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caleulated to baffle ordinary calcula- than to have got rid of it 2-why, they tions concerning the course of events, may still: what can that stupid fellow that the reader may well disbelieve Parkinson have been about? Yet, what I am going to tell him, and treat is it because it has become unima it as absurdly improbable. In short, portant, on account of their being in not to keep him in suspense, Gammon possession of other evidence? What positively discovered evidence of the can they have against so plain a case death of Harry Dreddlington in his fa- as ours is, with this evidence ? Gad, ther's lifetime; by means of just such I'll not lose one day's time; but I'll a looking tombstone as he had long have half-a-dozen competent witnesses imaged to himself; and as he had re- to inspect, and speak to that same solved that old Quirk should have got tombstone in court."

Such were prepared, before the cause came into some of the thoughts which passed court. He almost stumbled over it. through his mind as he hastened 'Twas an old slanting stone, scarce homeward ; and on his arrival, late two feet above the ground, partly as it was only the yawning ostler covered with moss, and partly hid by being up to let him in--he sat down to rubbish and old damp grass.

The write a letter off to Mr Quirk, and moon shone brightly enough to enable made it into a parcel to go by the mail Gammon, kneeling down, to decipher, in the morning, acquainting him with beyond all doubt, what was requisite the truly providential discovery he to establish that part of the case which had just made, and urging him to set had been wanting. For a moment or about getting up the briefs, for the trial, two he was disposed to doubt whether without delay; he, himself, purposing he was not dreaming. When, at to stop at Grilston a day or two longer, length, he took out pencil and paper, to complete one or two other arrangehis hands trembled so much that he felt ments of an important nature. As some difficulty in making an exact copy soon as Mr Quirk had read this letter, of the inestimable inscription. Having he devoutly thanked God for his done this, he drew a long breath as he goodness; and, hurrying to his strongreplaced the pencil and paper in his box, unlocked it, took out a small pocket-book, and almost fancied he sealed packet, and committed it to the heard a whispering sound in the air- flames. « Verdict for the plaintiff." Quitting Mr Aubrey, as soon as he had rethe churchyard, he walked back to covered from the first shock occasioned Grilston at a much quicker rate than by the communication by Mr Parkinthat at which he had come, his dis- son of the proceedings against him, covery having wonderfully elated him, set about acquainting himself, as miand pushed all other thoughts entirely nutely as he could, with the true state out of his mind. But, thought he, doubt of the case. He had requested Mr less the other side are aware of the Parkinson to obtain from one of the existence of this tombstone_they can counsel in London, Mr Crystal, a full hardly be supposed ignorant of it; account of the case, in an elementary they must have looked up their evi- form, for his own guidance; and on dence as well as we--and their atten- obtaining a remarkably clear and lution has been challenged to the exist. minous statement, and also consulting ence or non-existence of proof of the the various authorities cited in it time of the death of Harry Dreddling such, at least, as could be supplied to ton :-well--if they are aware of it, him by Mr Parkinson-the vigorous they know that it cuts the ground practical understanding of Mr Aubrey, from under them, and turns their con- aided by his patient application, soon veyance, on which, doubtless, they are mastered the whole case, and enabled relying, into waste paper ; if they are him to appreciate the peril in which not, and are under the impression that he was placed. Since he could derive that deed is valid and effectual, our no title through the conveyance of proof will fall on them like a thunder. Harry Dreddlington (which had been bolt. Gad,”-he held his breath, and got in by Geoffry Dreddlington,) stopped in the middle of the road- owing to the death of the former in his “ how immensely important is this father's lifetime, as he (Mr Aubrey) little piece of evidence! Why, if understood from his advisers could be they knew of it-why, in Heaven's easily proved by the present claimant name is it there still? What easier of the property; the right of accession

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of Geoffry Dreddlington's descend- possibility of his soon being declared ants depended entirely upon the fact the wrongful holder of the property, whether or not Stephen Dreddlington he contracted his expenditure as far had really died without issue; and as as he could, without challenging unto that, certain anxious and extensive necessary public attention ; and paid enquiries instituted by Messrs Run- into his banker's hands all bis Christnington and Mr Parkinson, in pur. mas rents, sacredly resolving to abstain suance of the suggestions of their able from drawing out one farthing of what and experienced counsel, had led them might soon be proved to belong to to entertain serious doubts concerning another. At every point occurred the the right of Ge ry's descendants to dreadful question—if I am declared enter into possession. By what means never to have been the rightful owner his opponents had obtained their clue of the property, how am I to discharge to the state of his title, neither he nor my frightful liabilities to him who is ? any of his advisers could frame a plau. Mr Aubrey had nothing except the sible conjecture. It was certainly Yatton property. He had but an inpossible that Stephen Dreddlington, significant sum in the funds ; Mrs who was known to have been a man, Aubrey's settlement out of like his uncle Harry, of wild and ec- lands at Yation, as also was the centric habits, and to have been sup- little income bequeathed to Kate by posed to leave no issue, might have her father. Could any thing, now, married privately some woman of in- be conceived more dreadful, under ferior station, and left issue by her, these circumstances, than the mere who, living in obscurity, and at a dis- danger-the slightest probability tance from the seat of the family pro- of their being deprived of Yatton?perty, could have no opportunity of and with a debt of at the very enquiring into or ascertaining their least sixty THOUSAND POUNDS, due to position with reference to the estates, him who had been wrongfully kept out till some acute and enterprising attor- of his property? That was the millneys, like Messrs Quirk, Gammon, stone which seemed to drag them all and Snap, happening to get hold of to the bottom. Against that, what them, and family papers in their pos- could the kindness of the most genesession, had taken up their case. When, rous friends, what could his own most with impressions such as these, Mr desperate exertions, avail ? All this Aubrey perused and re-perused the bad poor Aubrey constantly before opinions of the conveyancer given on his eyes, together with—his wife, his the occasion of his (Mr Aubrey's) sister, his children. What was to bemarriage, he was confounded at the su- come of them? It was long before pineness and indifference which he had the real nature and extent of his daneven twice exhibited, and felt disposed ger became known amongst his friends now greatly to overvalue the import and neighbours. When, however, ance of every adverse circumstance. they were made aware of it, an extraThe boldness, again, and systematic ordinary interest and sympathy were energy with which the case of the excited throughout almost the whole claimant was prosecuted, and the emi- county. Whenever his attorney, Mr nent legal opinions which were al. Parkinson, appeared in public, he was leged, and with every appearance of besieged by most anxious enquiries truth, to concur in his favour, afforded concerning his distinguished client, additional grounds for rational appre- whose manly modesty and fortitude, hension. He looked the danger, how. under the pressure of his sudden and ever, full in the face, and as far as lay almost unprecedented difficulty and in his power, prepared for the evil day peril, endeared him more than ever to which might so soon come upon him. all who had an opportunity of appreCertain extensive and somewhat costly ciating his position. With what inalterations which he had been on the tense and absorbing interest were the point of commencing at Yatton, he ensuing assizes looked for! At length abandoned. But for the earnest inter- they arrived. ference of friends, he would have at The ancient city of York exhibited, once given up his establishment in on the commission day of the Spring Grosvenor Street, and applied for the Assizes for the year 18—, the usual Chiltern Hundreds, in order to retire scene of animation and excitement. from political life. Considering the The High Sheriff, attended by an ima

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posing retinue, went out to meet the Sterling, who, with Mr Crystal, was Judges, and escorted them, amidst the also retained for the defendant. shrill clangour of trumpets, to the 6 Well, perhaps you can agree beCastle, where the commission was tween yourselves upon a day, and in opened with the usual formalities. The the mean time similar arrangements Judges were Lord Widdrington, the may be made for any other special Lord Chief Justice of the King's jury causes that may require it.”. AfBench, and Mr Justice Grayley, a ter due consultation Monday week was puisne judge of the same court-both agreed upon by the parties, and fixed admirable lawyers.

The former was by his lordship, for the trial of the possessed of the more powerful intel- cause. During the Sunday preceding lect. He was, what may be called a it, York was crowded with persons of great scientific lawyer, referring every the highest distinction from all parts thing to principle as extracted from of the county, who felt interested in precedent.

Mr Justice Grayley was the result of the great cause of the almost unrivalled in his knowledge of assizes. About mid-day a dusty trathe details of the law; his governing velling carriage and four dashed into maxim being ita lex scripta. Here the streets from the London road, and his knowledge was equally minute and drove up to the principal inn; it conaccurate, and most readily applied to tained the Attorney-General (who just every case brought before him. Never finished reading his brief as he entered sate there upon the bench a more pains- York) and his clerk. The Attorneytaking judge-one more anxious to do General was a man of striking and right equally in great things as in highly intellectual countenance; but small. Both were men of rigid inte- he looked, on alighting, somewhat fagrity : 'tis a glorious thing to be able to tigued with his long journey. He was add-when, for centuries, have other a man of extraordinary natural talents, than men of rigid integrity sate upon and also a first-rate lawyer-one whose the English Bench ? Lord Widdring, right to take the woolsack, whenever ton, however, in temper was stern, it should become vacant, was recogarbitrary, and overbearing, and his nised by all the profession. His profesmanners was tinctured with not a little sional celebrity, and his coming down coarseness; while his companion was special on the present occasion, added a man of exemplary amiability, affa- to the circumstance of his being wellbility, and forbearance. Lord Wide known to be a personal friend of his drington presided at the Civil Court client, Mr Aubrey-whence it might (where, of course, would come on the be inferred that his great powers would important cause in which we are in- be exerted to their utmost-was well terested), and Mr Justice Grayley in calculated to enhance the interest, if the Criminal Court.

that were possible, of the occasion Soon after the sitting of the court, which had brought him down at so on the ensuing morning—" Will your great an expense, and to sustain so Lordship allow me," rose and enquired heavy a responsibility as the conduct the sleek, smiling, and portly Mr of a cause of such magnitude. Subtle, dead silence prevailing as soon He came to lead against a formidable as he had mentioned the name of the opponent. Mr SUBTLE was the leader cause about which he was enquiring, of the Northern circuit, a man of " to call your attention to a cause of matchless tact and practical sagacity, Doe on the demise of Titmouse v. Jol- and most consummately skilful in the ter,-a special jury cause, in which conduct of a cause.

The only thing there are a great many witnesses to he ever looked at was the verdict, to be examined on both sides—and to the gaining of which he directed all ask that a day may be fixed for it to his energies, and sacrificed every other come on?”

consideration. As for display, he des6. Whom do you appear for, Mr

pised it.

A speech, as such, was his Subtle ?” enquired his Lordship: aversion. He entered into a friendly, • For the plaintiff, my Lord.” but exquisitely crafty conversation with

« And who appears for the defend- the jury; for he was so quick at perant?"

ceiving the effect of his address on the “ The Attorney-General leads for mind of each of the twelve, and dex. the defendant, my Lord,” replied Mr terous in accommodating himself to