welcomed her: held out his arms: tried, at least, stand a big fortune, and a grown-up daughter, to kiss her: and, without a murmur, should have and threatenings of criminal proceedings all at submitted to any endearments which the girl once. However, I have cooled down, and shall might offer. To be sure, the style and title of play my next card very much better, as my dear daughter no more commanded his affection than friends and cousins will shortly discover." that of niece: his heart, which had long since It was somewhat unfortunate that he chose ceased to feel any warmth toward Alison's that evening to carry out his purpose, because it mother, by no means leaped up at the meeting was the time which the partners, accompanied by with Dora's daughter. Quite the reverse. He Mr. Billiter, had chosen for their family council. felt that the whole thing was a gêne; he would Gilbert Yorke, Alderney Codd, Mrs. Cridland, very much have preferred Alison to have con- and Miss Nethersole all assisted on this occasion, tinued Anthony's daughter.

the importance of which was realized by no one You can not, however, by wishing, reverse the so much as by Alderney Codd. The fur coat current of affairs. That is an axiom in the First was necessarily discarded owing to the return of Book of Fate; and the wise man makes the best summer, but its place was worthily taken by of materials in his hands. The materials in broadcloth of the best and newest, while the conStephen's hands were a girl ready to acknowl- dition of wristbands, front, and collar showed edge him as her father, and do her best to enact what an excellent thing a little steady occupation the part of Christian daughter; a sister-in-law is for a man. True, his work was over; there who had been deeply wronged, and who, for the was no more employment for him in rummaging sake of that daughter, was ready to forgive and among registers; but he had not yet realized that forget the past; a little knot of conspirators, the suspension of work meant cessation of ineager to get rid of him, to push him off the come. At present he was entirely filled with a scene, to land him, once and for all, across the sort of holy joy on account of Anthony's rehabiliChannel

tation, and he had thought of a beautiful verse Very good: but one thing they had forgotten. from Horace which he intended to quote as soon Not only did Miss Nethersole forgive, which they as he could find an opportunity. It was not eneither did not know or took care not to mention, tirely novel, but then Alderney's scholarship was but in striking at him they would strike at Ali- not entirely fresh-overripe, perhaps. The effort son. Yes, and at themselves; at the family name, to lug in the lines somehow proved unsuccessful at everything held dear by the Hamblins. for the first half-hour or so, during which Augus

The more he turned the matter over in his tus was explaining the new position of affairs, mind, the more he became convinced that to how Stephen had resolved on leaving his daughstrike the flag at once was impolitic and-still ter in undisputed possession-taking only an anmore-useless. A change of front was not only nuity out of the estate. These dry details gave possible, but advisable.

no opportunity for Horatian sentiment. “Why," asked this just man,“ should I aban- Augustus Hamblin took the opportunity of don what is mine because they threaten ? What reminding Alison - this was a precautionary can they do? What can they prove? Would measure, in case she should allow herself to fall they dare to try it? And since the woman sends in love, so to speak, with her father, and then me that message, why, there is nothing more to find out about the receipts, and be humiliatedbe feared. I will stay."

that the discovery of her parent need not lead to After dinner he thought the thing over again, any alteration in her own feelings concerning and became so convinced that his best course him, because he was going away for good. The was to take advantage of Rachel Nethersole's observance of the fifth commandment, he exforgiving disposition that he sent for a cab and plained, binding upon all Christians, would in drove to Clapham, to “my own place," he said her case be effected by the pious memory of the to himself. “And I dare say,” he continued, be- man who had stood in loco parentis, in the place ing now very cheerful over the new prospects of a parent to her. Here Alderney thought he “ I dare say that the time will come when I may saw his chance and struck in, “ Quis desiderio," endure the girl's affectionate ways as Anthony but was interrupted by a gesture from his cousin, used to. Pretend to like them, too. It's awk- who went on to set forth that in her real father ward becoming a father when you least expect it. Alison had before her an example which her A grown-up girl, too, with a temper of her own, friends would not advise her to follow, and, alone with whom you have had rows; it is a very though filial piety would not dwell upon his faults, embarrassing position, and requires a great deal it was impossible to hide them altogether; and, of presence of mind. This afternoon I was a in fact, it had always been a thorn in the side of fool. I've been a fool all day, I think. Things the family generally that this member of it had came upon me too unexpectedly. A man can't turned out so ill.

“Things being so,” Augustus concluded, “we have resolved that it will be better for me, and could not but feel that for you and your fortune for you too, if I renounce my scheme of living to be at the mercy of a man who has never shown abroad, and instead, become your father, guareven the most common prudence in money mat- dian, and best friend. As for my former life, it ters would be a very disastrous thing. And it has been, I admit, devoted to pleasure; that is was with the greatest joy that we received from all finished. I was then a man without ties, and him an assurance that he was willing to accept therefore, to a certain extent, a selfish man. Now an annuity, and not to take upon himself the re- I have you, my daughter, I have some one else in sponsibilities of paternity. In other words, my the world to live for. My brother Anthony actdear child, you will be in exactly the same posi- ed, no doubt, for the best, but he acted wrongly tion as if you were really Anthony's daughter."

toward me.

Had I known, had I suspected, that “I have seen him,” said Alison, quietly. “He you were my child, my course would have been has told me that he does not want a daughter, different indeed; perhaps it would have been as He can never feel any affection for me; it is bet- blameless as that of my cousin, Alderney Codd.” ter that we should part."

Alderney jumped in his chair and changed “Much better,” said Augustus.

color. It was to be hoped that Stephen was not “I confess that it would be impossible for me going to begin revelations at this inconvenient to practice the same respect and obedience to- time. ward him as to my dear fath-I mean my uncle “I say so much, Alison,” Stephen went on, Anthony—"

while Mrs. Cridland sat clutching Miss Nether“Always your father, Alison,” said Gilbert. sole's hand in affright, and the partners with the

" Quis desiderio," by Alderney again, when old lawyer stood grouped together-Gilbert rethe door was thrown open, and the new father tained his position behind Alison—“I say so appeared.

much because you ought to know both sides. He was acting elaborately; he had thrown It matters little, now, why my cousins have beaside the dark and down look with which he re- come my enemies. You see that they are. I ceived Alison in the afternoon; he had assumed come here to-night proposing new relations. I an expression of candor mixed with some kind of take blame for the things I said this afternoon, sorrowful surprise, as if he was thinking of the Forgive me, my child. Your father asks for his past; his dark eyes were full, as if charged with daughter's forgiveness." repentance.

“Oh!” cried Alison, moved to tears by this “Alison," he said, looking about the room, speech of the père prodigue, “ do not speak so. “I see you are with my cousins, my very good Do not talk of forgiveness. There is nothing to friends, and Mr. Billiter, my well-wisher from forgive.” youth upward. I have disturbed a family gather- “Together, my dear, we can face our eneing. May I ask, my child, what poison concern- mies, and bid them do their worst.” ing your father they have poured into your ears ? He drew her to his side and laid her hand on Miss Nethersole! Is it possible?”

his arm, in a manner as paternal and as true to Aunt Rachel shook her head violently, and nature as an amateur heavy father at private pushed her chair back. But Stephen thought of theatricals. the message.

“This is truly wonderful,” said Mr. Billiter. Alison sprang to her feet, but was silent. “Let them do their worst," continued SteShe tried to speak, but could not. Gilbert held phen. her hand.

Why, in Heaven's name” began Augus“Stephen,” cried Augustus, “what is the tus, but was stopped by Stephen, who went on meaning of this language? You have already without taking the least notice of him. forgotten the interview of this morning. Must Miss Nethersole,” he said, "I owe to you we tell your daughter all ?”

an explanation of a very important kind. I have "All that you please,” said Stephen, airily; read to-day the journal of my late wife, with feel"you are free to tell Alison whatever you like.” ings of the deepest sorrow. My neglect was not He took her hand and drew her gently from Gil- willful, but accidental ; the reduction of my wife's bert. “Alison, my daughter, let me repeat your allowance was due to a heavy pecuniary loss; our own words: “We have thought hard things, we separation was by mutual consent; I never rehave said hard things of each other. That was ceived any letters from her at all. I concluded because we did not know the truth. Now we that she had carried her threat into execution and know it, let us not be separated.'

When I had my remittances returned “I was wrong this afternoon, because I had from Lulworth, I concluded that she had gone not yet realized what it meant to me, this gift of away from me altogether." a daughter. I have thought it over since, and "But, man,” said Rachel Nethersole, puzzled

left me.

a

spare her.”

with this glib show of explanation, "you went on tion was Stephen. He was quite certainly the drawing her allowance from me.”

heir to the great estate; everything, including “I did,” said Stephen, frankly—“ I did ; and his daughter, was his, and in his power. The the hardest, the most cruel, the most unjust ac- difficulty about the Letters of Administration cusation ever made against any man was made could not any longer stand in his way; the crime against me this morning by my own cousin. was forgiven for the daughter's sake ; and what, -Alison, you shall hear it, unless, indeed, they in Heaven's name, would be the end of the great have already told you."

Hamblin estate, grown up and increased through “What we have spared your daughter," said so many generations, developed by patient inAugustus, solemnly, “ you, too, would do well to dustry and carefulness to its present goodly pro

portions, fallen into the hands of a profligate, a “Spare her!" Stephen repeated. “It was black sheep, a prodigal son, who would waste, out of no consideration for me. Rachel Nether- dissipate, lavish, squander, and scatter in a few sole, I drew that hundred and fifty pounds a year years what it had cost so many to produce ? for six years after my wife's death. She could " It is a sad pity," said Mr. Billiter, speaking not, poor thing, receive any of it. But how was the thoughts of all. I to know that? Who told me of her death? Stephen,” said Alderney, " if you are really What did I know?"

going to take over the whole estate for your“ This is truly wonderful !” said Mr. Billiter self—" again.

"I certainly am," Stephen replied with a “Dora, before we parted to meet no more, short laugh. signed a number of receipts. It was understood “ Then there are one or two things that you that she was not to be troubled in the matter. I must do. As a man of honor and generosity, heard no more. I went on presenting the re- you must do them. There is Flora Cridland, for ceipts. I drew the money. That money, Rachel instance; you must continue to behave toward Nethersole, has been strictly and honorably laid her as Anthony did.” up ever since, to be returned to you when occa- “ Go on, Alderney.” sion should serve. I first laid it up for Dora, but, "Here is Gilbert Yorke, engaged to Alison." after six years, I heard from Anthony that she “ Go on." was dead, and then resolved to hand it over to His face expressed no generous determination you. But my life has been, as I said before, a to do anything at all. selfish one.

The money was there, but the oc- “Well,” said Alderney, his nose becoming casion never came. At the same time, Rachel, suffused with a pretty blush, “ if you can not I thank you most heartily for the message of for- understand what you have to do, I can not tell giveness sent me by Alison. Although there was you.” nothing to forgive, I accept the message as a “I know what you mean. I am to continue token of good will."

to give my cousin, Flora Cridland, a lavish alRachel stared at him, as one dumfounded. lowance for doing nothing. Flora, you know my

“Am I,” she asked, “out of my senses? Is sentiments. I am to take, with my daughter, all this true ? "

the hangers on and lovers who may have hoped Mr. Billiter laughed in his hard, dry way. to catch an heiress. Mr. Yorke, at some future

“Quite as true, madame,” he said, “as any time you may have an interview with me, in orother of the statements you have heard. Pray der to explain your pretensions. Lastly, Aldergo on, Stephen.”

I am to lend you as much money as Anthony “ No; I shall not go on. I have said all I did, am I?" had to say to Alison, my daughter, and to Miss " I was not thinking of myself,” said AlderNethersole, my sister-in-law. To them explana- ney meekly. “I only thought, as the poet says, tions were due. To you, my cousins, and to you, “Suave est ex magno tollere acervo.' It is delawyer of the devil, I have nothing to say ex- lightful to help yourself from a big pile. Howcept that, as this is my house, you will best please ever—" me, its owner, by getting out of it at once.”

But Alison broke away from her father's The position was ludicrous. They who had arm, and caught the protective hands of Gilbert. come to tell Alison gently how her father, having “No," she said, with brightening eyes, "Gilbeen such a very bad specimen of father or citi- bert will not need to ask your permission ; he zen, had acquiesced in their proposal and was has my promise. And he had the encouragegoing to the Continent for life, never again to ment of my—my uncle Anthony." trouble anybody, stood looking at each other "Right, girl," said Rachel Nethersole ; "you foolishly, the tables turned upon them. They are right. If he turns you out, you shall come were quite powerless. The master of the situa- to me.” She too crossed over to her niece, and

ney,

6

VOL. VIII.-22

a

a

a pretty group was formed of Alison in the nothing to suspect or to disbelieve. I did not middle, Gilbert at her right, and Rachel at her know for six years and more of the death of my left.

wife-" Stephen's face darkened; but he forced him- He did not hear the door open behind him : self to be genial.

he hardly observed how Alison, with panting "Well,” he said, with a smile, “one can not breast and parted lips, sprang past him : he did expect daughters like mine to become obedient not hear the cry of astonishment from all, but in a moment. Marry whom you please, Alison. he felt his dead brother's hand upon his shoulYour husband, however, must look to please me der : he turned and met his dead brother before any settlements are arranged. Rachel face to face, and he heard him say: “SteNethersole, I am sorry to see that your usual phen, that is not true; you knew it a week after common sense has failed you on this occasion.” her death."

Rachel shook her head. She mistrusted the All the pretense went out of him: all the man by instinct.

confidence: all the boastfulness; he shrunk to“If I could believe you,” she murmured—“if gether: his cheek became pallid : his shoulders only I could believe you"

fell and were round : his features became mean : There happened, then, a strange sound in the he trembled. hall outside-shuffling steps—a woman's shriek Go,” said Anthony, pointing to the door-the voice of young Nick, shrill and strident, "go! I know all that you have done and saidordering unknown persons to be silent; in fact, go ; let me never see you more, lest I forget the they were William the under-gardener, and promise which I made by the death-bed of our Phoebe the under-housemaid, and he was enter- mother.” ing the house with his captive when they rushed Stephen passed through them all without a up the steps and Phæbe screamed, thinking in word. the twilight of the June night that she was look- In the general confusion, no one noticed Aling upon the face of a ghost.

derney. “Silence, all of you!” cried young Nick, ex- He waited a moment and then crept furtively citedly, trying not to speak too loud ; "you chat- out, and caught Stephen at the door. tering, clattering, jabbering bundle of rags, hold Courage,” he said ; " Anthony will come your confounded tongue ! Take her away, Wil- round. All is not yet lost.” liam, stop her mouth with the handle of the “You stand by a fallen friend, Alderney?" spade-choke her, if you can! Now, then." said Stephen, bitterly. “Nay, man, go back and

They hardly noticed the noise in the study. get what you can. I am ruined.” It happened just when Miss Nethersole was ex- “ Dives eram dudum,” replied the Fellow of pressing her doubts as to Stephen's perfect ve- the College. “Once. I was rich. Fecerunt me racity. Everybody was discomfited. Mrs. Crid- tria nudum - three things made me naked : land was miserably wiping her eyes, thinking of Alea, vina, Venus. . You are no worse off, Stethe days of fatness, gone for ever : Miss Nether- phen, than you were." sole was uncomfortably suspicious that the man As Stephen walked rapidly away across the had not told her anything like the truth : the common, it was some consolation to think that two partners were silent and abashed—they felt at this, the darkest moment of his life, he could like conspirators who had been found out: Gil- reckon on the friendship of one man in the bert was hot and angry, yet for Alison's sake he world—and on the promise made at a death-bed was keeping control of his temper. Stephen by another. As for the game-he had played

. himself was uncomfortable, trying to devise some for a high stake-he stood to win by long odds method of restoring confidence, cursing Alderney —and he lost. for forcing his hand. Alderney was ready to sit 'Oh, my dear! my dear!” cried Alison, fordown and cry: Mr. Billiter was apparently say- getting her father altogether, as she clung to ing to himself for the third time:

Anthony, and kissed him a thousand times. “ This is truly wonderful!”

“Oh, my dear! I said you would come back to And then Alison broke from Gilbert and me some time — somehow. I said you would Rachel, and, standing like a startled deer, cried : come back."

“I hear a step-I hear a step!” And for a moment she stood with her hands outspread, listening.

Ten minutes later, when the confusion was Stephen took no notice of his daughter's ex- over, young Nick touched his uncle on the arm, traordinary gesture. He addressed himself to and whispered : Rachel, having his back to the door.

“It's all right about that desk in the office, of “I repeat, Rachel,” he said “ that you have course ? Very good. And now, if I was you, I

a

would sneak up stairs and change my boots, and I give notice that I am about to change my name. put on another coat. I'll amuse Alison while Henceforth I mean to be known as Nicolas Cridyou are gone. Old lady,” he stood in the land-Hamblin, Esquire, about to become, as soon full light of the gas, with his right hand modest- as I leave school, a clerk in the firm of Anthony ly thrust into his bosom, and his left hand on his Hamblin and Company, Indigo Merchants, Great thigh-"old lady, and everybody here present, St. Simon Apostle, City."

HENRY

THOMAS BUCKLE.*

MR; [R. BUCKLE'S reputation is unique in more kitchen over, gave his nurse's daughter a pea

ways than one; after a long preparation shooter, and had shooting-matches with her; he burst upon the world with a masterpiece, and and on another occasion, when he went to call this masterpiece was received with instant ac- on his old nurse, turned everything there topsyclamation by the public, and depreciated so far turvy, romped about, threw the daughter's cat as possible by most of those to whom the public out of the window, and, finally, walking with generally looks for guidance. The most singular them down the street, sang and was generally thing of all is that during the period of prepara- uproarious, seizing fruit from the open shops, and tion he deliberately abstained from any partial or behaving so as to make them quite afraid that he tentative work, and that he entered upon the would get into trouble.” He was sent again work of preparation with an utterly undisciplined, to a private tutor's, and there, though he never not to say unexercised intelligence. He was a seemed to learn his lessons, he was always forevery delicate child, and had hardly mastered his most. His health, however, failed, and again he letters at eight, and was quite indifferent to child- had to be taken home. In the latter part of this ish games. Dr. Birkbeck was of opinion that he time his father's conversation gave him an interought to be spared in every possible way, and est in politics and political economy, and by the never made to do anything but what he chose, time he was seventeen he had composed a letter His great delight was to sit for hours by the side to Sir Robert Peel on free trade. His father, a of his mother to hear the Scriptures read. Up cultivated man who had been at Cambridge, and to the age of eighteen he read hardly anything used to recite Shakespeare to his family, wished but the “ Arabian Nights,” “ Don Quixote,” Bun- his son to be an East India merchant like himyan, and Shakespeare, whom he began at fifteen. self. Buckle entered the office much against his He was sent to school for a short time to give will, but when he was a little over eighteen he him a change from home, with strict directions was released by his father's death, which occurred that he was never to be punished or forced to on the 22d of January, 1840. His last words learn; nevertheless, out of curiosity, he learned were to bid his son “be a good boy to his mothenough to bring home the first prize for mathe- er." Buckle was taken fainting from the room. matics before he was fourteen. Being asked He always repaid her self-sacrificing devotion what reward he would have for this feat, he chose with the tenderest attachment; he never really to be taken away from school. He knew hardly recovered from the shock of her death. She was anything, and was proud of showing off what he a very remarkable woman. Miss Shirreff said, knew. He would stand on the kitchen-table, and after meeting her in 1854: recite the Creed and the Lord's Prayer in Latin and French, translating sentence by sentence.

Apart from her being the mother of such a son, He would play with his cousin at "Parson and she was a very interesting person to know. It is cuClerk," always preaching himself

, according to lives seem to have produced no impression ; they

rious how many people there are on whom their own his mother, with extraordinary eloquence for a child. This is more like a precocious child of may have seen and felt much, but they have not re

flected upon their experience, and they remain apfour than a clever and backward child of four- parently unconscious of the influences that have been teen. The same may be said of his less intellec- at work around and upon them. With Mrs. Buckle tual amusements. * On one occasion, for in- it was exactly the reverse. The events, the persons, stance, he turned every chair and table in the the books that had affected her at particular times or