by Sir Thomas Lawrence in pastel, though executed in the year 1784, is perfectly fresh still (in 1872). The earnest young sailor lost no time in presenting himself at Fern Hill, where he obtained a cordial reception from Harriet Shute's step-mother, and brother and sisters. So ardent, indeed, was the Post-Captain's suit, that only a short time elapsed ere he was the accepted lover of the fair dancer, who, amidst several admirers, among whom were men of larger fortunes and finer features than the young sailor, selected the one who had won her heart with the impetuosity and ardour for which seamen are notorious.

In the winter, Mrs. Shute, according to custom, proceeded to Bath, to the family mansion in Pulteney Street, accompanied by Captain Christian. At Bath the necessary preliminaries were soon arranged, the trousseau purchased, the Manor of Hooknorton settled by Hood upon his bride. The beautiful Manor

House had long been occupied by strangers, who rented the shooting over the Manor; the homestead was still occupied by the Ffrench family, though another generation inhabited it since we first visited it in 1758.

All the young sailor's prize-money was spent in ornaments for Harriet ;-strings of pearls rivalled in whiteness the slight throat they encircled, and diamonds shone amidst her dark tresses; till now, Hood never knew the value of money,-now he felt proud that he could deck his bride in gems purchased by his own exertions, the reward of gallant deeds!

In 1808, a brilliant wedding took place at the Abbey Church—a splendid Brussels point veil, the gift of the Countess Bylandt, and a Lisle lace dress, over satin, the lace a gift of Baroness Hompesch, was the bridal costume of Harriet Shute. Her miniature represents her in her wedding dress-a sweet face-with large hazel eyes, lovely complexion, magni

ficent hair, in curls, and bows above her fair brow, and a slight graceful form.

The first trip the wedded pair made together was to Hooknorton, which Hood had never visited before.

They were warmly received at the homestead by the farmer and his wife, who, though still middle-aged, well remembered Sir Hugh Christian and the sweet lady of the Manor; and many anecdotes were related to Hood's attentive ears of his own lovely grandmother.

The occupiers of the Manor House were absent, and Hood and his wife obtained leave to walk over the old hall, the withdrawing room, the bed-chamber, of which they had heard so much; but to them all seemed dreary and gloomy,-very different to Margot's accounts of the old home! With the bright spirits she remembered then had passed away the life, the light, and the glory of the Old Manor House! and Harriet shivered as

she crossed the old hall, out into the old porch, and felt the warm sun again, whispering, "Thank God, dear Hood, we do not live here!"

For Hood himself, he felt much the same : fondly as his father had loved to dwell upon his own childhood at the Manor, upon the loveliness of his sweet mother, upon the beauty of the old home, it struck but chill upon his heart; and then, too, it had passed into the hands of the heirs of that Captain Shelley, of hated memory!

CHAPTER XXII.

HOOD'S NAVAL CAREER CONTINUED.

APTAIN CHRISTIAN and his bride

CA

settled themselves at a pretty place called Seagrove, between Ryde and St. Helens, in the Isle of Wight, close to the sea.

Here, after a brief spell of happiness, Hood left his young wife, being appointed to the command of the "Heroine," forming part of the Walcheren Expedition, and one of the ten frigates which, under Lord William Stuart, forced the passage between the batteries of Flushing and Cadsandt, on the afternoon of August 11th, 1809. On this occasion Captain Christian was gazetted officially.

He was next appointed to the "Iris," 36,