afterwards learned; but it pleased Heaven to bring us through all difficulties and losses to Ireland.

"On arriving I lost no time in going to Mr. Stepney, who received me most affectionately, wept over my little boy, whose father he had so dearly loved, and, in every way showing the deepest interest for us, took a melancholy pleasure in hearing every little circumstance of my poor Frederick's illness and last moments. He frequently talked to young Stepney, questioned him on many subjects, and was so pleased with his intelligence, that he proposed sending him to school in the following spring. In compliance with his wish, and as Frederick had desired it, I consented to reside with my uncle for the present, though certainly a house, or even a lodging, of my own, would in some respects have been preferable.

"The winter passed away in tranquillity, till the time came for sending my boy to school, and my uncle generously left its selection to me. I took the child there myself; and in parting from him I felt as if my sole remaining object in this world was gone. I took the opportunity, however, with the concurrence of Mr. Stepney, of visiting my elder sister, whom I had not seen for many years. She was all affection, all heart; and as to my brother-in-law-oh, Evelyn! I wish you could have known him. He had such a powerful mind, and with it so much benevolence-especially to young people: he took so much delight in opening their minds, and in guiding their perceptions, that it was impossible not to be improved while with him; and in former times he had been always so kind to me that I owed him a deep debt of gratitude and love. The visit to these friends was consolatory and reviving; my mind was awakened to much that was worthy of thought, and the indolence that had been creeping over it

was overcome.

"When I returned to The Grove I found Mr. Stepney far from well. He appeared to pine after his adopted child, though it had been his own wish to send him to school, being desirous to secure his education while he was alive, and to take the whole expense of it on himself. I forgot to mention that very soon after my return from Canada he had inquired if I had the deed; on my answering in the affirma

tive, he gave me a strong injunction to keep it safe, and told me what steps to take in case of his death; and now feeling himself unwell, he repeated them. His illness, however, was temporary, and he was soon able to return to his usual habits. He liked solitude, for he had been accustomed to live much alone; and though it pleased him to think I was living in the house, and gratified him to find me ready to sit or walk with him when he was sociably inclined, he spent the mornings in going about his grounds chiefly by himself. I had therefore much leisure, which I employed in the instruction of some poor children, whose mother had been foster-sister to my husband. She was dead, and they were quite neglected by their father. The eldest was a boy of eleven or twelve, uncommonly quick and intelligent; he had been at a neighbouring school, but his father took him from it on pretence of wanting him at home. However, he made no objection to his coming to me every morning with his sisters, and I could not doubt that little Andy was glad to receive some education. I saw it in his grateful countenance, and in the delight he showed at his sisters' improvement. Mr. Stepney sometimes smiled at all the trouble I took with these children; wondered I was not glad to rest from the labour of teaching now that my own boy had gone to school; and sometimes added a terrific warning that no one was to be trusted, and those very children might turn against me yet. But I could not bear to live without endeavouring to do some good, and it was a comfort to me to think I was of use to any one even remotely connected with my poor Frederick; so I continued to teach them every morning, till at last poor uncle Stepney fell into such a delicate state of health, attended by some alarming symptoms, that I devoted myself entirely to him, and scarcely ever left him.

"I had been there a year and a half; during that time Mr. Tallon, being quartered in England, had paid him only one short visit. His manner to me was high and disagreeable; but I was indifferent about it, as I felt myself completely under the protection of Mr. Stepney, whose kindness to me was invariable.

"When the physician informed me that there was no hope

of recovery, my uncle, who had been quite aware that his decline was rapidly advancing, desired me to write to inform Mr. Tallon, and other near connexions, of his danger, and also to his attorney, as he wished to make his will, and settle all his worldly affairs.

"When the attorney arrived, my uncle had become so much more weak, that he was unequal to the exertion of dictating a will, and said to me in the presence of the attorney that it was of no consequence whether he made a will or not: 'For,' said he, 'you have a deed by which I gave the chief part of my property to your husband and to you and your son in succession: it is better than a will. I wished only to leave some small legacies; but I have mentioned most of them to you at different times, and am not able now to repeat them.' uncle,' said I, 'do not forget Mr. Tallon.' 'No, no, my dear, I have not forgotten him. I lately sent him a thousand pounds, which, along with what I gave him before, fulfils all my intentions towards him.'

'Dear

"He was much exhausted after this conversation, and, poor kind uncle! he died on the following morning.

"Several friends and neighbours, and two of my own cousins, came to attend the funeral; and when some of those who were intimate in the family inquired was there not a will, I repeated all that my uncle had said on the subject that last day in the presence of the attorney. Mr. Tallon wrote that he could not obtain leave of absence to attend the funeral. Everything was done properly, and without bustle. My cousins remained a few days with me, and advised me to take my deed to town at once, and learn from a law friend if there were any step to be taken; but the attorney requested me to wait till Mr. Tallon's arrival, that he might be present, and know all that was done, for he would, of course, be disappointed as to his own expectations. I consented, and considered myself mistress of the place.

CHAPTER LXVI.

Warning Little Andy's Fidelity

Little Box Deed Safe

1

Accident

- Mrs. Manvers sets out Assailants at Stepney Grove - Kind

ness of Sir Connor O'Brien - Her Son enters the Army - Andy provided for.

"I HEARD nothing of Mr. Tallon for several days, but continued to make preparations for my intended journey to town. One afternoon, tired of writing lists of plate and other property, I went to stroll in a shady serpentine walk leading from the house to the garden. It was about four o'clock of a very hot summer's day. While I sauntered slowly, musing on the vicissitudes of my life, and on the prospects then opening to me, I heard once or twice a rustling among the leaves near me, and, thinking it caused by birds, I paid no attention to it; but suddenly, while standing under the shade of a large horsechestnut, I was startled by the fall of something like a large pebble close to my feet; I observed a bit of paper attached to it, and, after some little hesitation, I picked it up, and unfolded the paper, which contained these words :-' Good and kind lady, you were always good to me, so I will not stand by and see you ill-used. This is to warn you—the big house will be attacked to-night-all your papers taken from you, and may be your life too. Send for Andy now, and give him secret orders to get a chay for you, to come to the stile at the grove by the road-side at six o'clock; and you, Madam, pray do come to it then, but not a word, on your peril, to any one.'

"I was almost stunned at reading this, and, looking round, I perceived Andy gliding off among the trees. My first impulse was to doubt-then a determination to abide by my fate, leaving all to Providence. But second thoughts convinced me that the poor boy could not mean to deceive, and must have had reason for what he had written. I knew that there were some bad and lawless people in the neighbourhood, and,

as it occurred to me that they might be employed by Tallon to rob me of the deed which was now so valuable, I felt that alone and unprotected I could not preserve it.

"While thinking on what was best to be done, I tried to loiter in the walk, but every sound, even my own footsteps, startled me, and I soon returned to the house. With a beating heart, trying to appear calm, I desired one of the servants to send for Andy, to take a note to a lady who lived near. He was ready within call, and quickly attended my summons. I gave him a note to the lady; and then, taking every precaution that no one should hear me, I desired him to procure a post-chaise, and bring it to the place he had named. I thanked him for his fidelity, but he put a finger on his lips, and ran off instantly, holding my note to the lady in his hand. I gave him also a letter to a friend in Dublin to put in the post, and soon afterwards sat down to dinner, without much appetite as you may suppose. As soon as it was over, I collected, as well as I could in my hurry, several little valuable memorials of times past, put all my money and a few trinkets that I possessed into my pocket, and, as the deed was too large for that, I deposited it in a small work-box, fastened by a spring lock, and with a single handle on the top by which I could hold it. Having put a change of linen into a large black silk work-bag, I secured it by a string under my gown, and lapped my large cloak about me, with a close bonnet and veil; and when prepared to leave my new home, I told some of the circumstances to my own faithful maid, who had lived with me for many years; charged her to see to everything till my return-to keep up her courage, as it was only my papers or myself they wanted to destroy-expressing my full dependence on her attachment and fidelity.

"I then went out, as if to take my usual evening walk, holding my precious little box under my cloak, and walking slowly lest I should attract observation, fearing every shadow, and my knees trembling at every step, as I advanced towards the appointed spot. I saw the carriage stop at the moment that I reached the stile; the door was instantly opened, and little Andy (who was concealed inside) slid quietly down the steps. He was running past me, when I stopped and offered him a little