your forgiveness, if you can grant it to a wretch like myself, and I humbly take my leave.' leave.' So

saying he bowed hastily and left the room. I cannot describe the relief of his departure, though I had never raised my eyes again upon him; still his very presence seemed to stifle me!'

CHAPTER V.

THE MID-DAY MEAL.

EAR madam," said the Admiral most

"DE

kindly, "it was a cruel trial for you! sad, sad, indeed! I was told in London the Manor House had been gambled away, but that you still lived in it. I could not understand how the first could be, or the latter either. So was it?"

"Yes, so it was! We ascertained the truth that the house, through some neglect, had not been included in theentail; only the homestead was mentioned. Sir Henry Hoste most generously insisted upon Captain Shelley's signing a legal document to the effect of his promise.

But for his kindness, his sympathy and advice," said Anne, gratefully, "I do not think I could have over-lived that weary time of trial and mortification. We offered Captain Shelley any compensation, any sum he chose to name, in lieu of the house, but in vain : and so it stands. Hugh will be lord of the manor, will have the estate and the homestead, and if he ever comes to live here after my death-which probably under these circumstances he will never do, he must turn the farmhouse into a mansion; but he will, I am sure, never do so, never bear to see the old house occupied by strangers. They will not have an inch of ground," she added; "no power over the dear old oaks, that we love so much! Still it seems to take the heart out of the property, and is seldom out of my thoughts. . . . Since then, dear friend, I have gradually rallied from my affliction, through God's help-found comfort in my boy, in the daily round of duties, in the exertions I had to