has had to endure from the neglect, nay, the tyranny of one to whom so precious a charge had been confided." And to put an end to further remonstrance, the baronet, by an imperious gesture of the hand, dismissed the crowd of servants from his presence, silencing with a glance his little child, who, with the tender instinct of pity, was about to plead for her poor old nurse.

When the clatter of retreating footsteps was heard on the staircase as the discomfited servants retired, "I fear, sir," said Mr. Grange to Sir Digby, "that so sweeping a measure of reform, however just, must expose you to great inconvenience."

"I must necessarily have broken up my establishment," replied Sir Digby, "for a visit to Italy has been prescribed for the health of my daughter, and I shall make immediate preparations for my departure. Nay, Holdich, quit not the room, and let your wife and son also remain, I wish you to hear what relates to yourself. We shall probably remain abroad several years," he continued, addressing himself to the two gentlemen present, "and in the meantime I shall, with full confidence, leave my property under the charge of my faithful steward, Robert Holdich." The baronet did not think himself called upon to explain that the state of his affairs required his continental sojourn quite as much as the health of his child.

"And now," continued Sir Digby, with the air

of one who, having settled a painful business, gladly turns to one more agreeable, "but one more duty remains. I see before me a man," his eye now rested on Robert Holdich, "who has not only served me with scrupulous fidelity under circumstances of difficulty, but to whose heroic courage I owe the life of my only child. Such a service is beyond all reward."

"It requires, none, sir," said Holdich, for the first

time appearing somewhat embarrassed; "I did nothing but what any other man should have done in my place."

"But what not one man in a thousand would have done,” replied Sir Digby Lestrange. "I cannot rest until I have at least made some acknowledgment of a service which can never be repaid. You have lately disposed of some timber on my estate; I desire that the proceeds, whatever they may be, may be placed to your own account."

'My father!" faintly ejaculated Rebekah, to whom this unexpected gift came indeed as a blessing from heaven.

You cannot be aware, sir," said Holdich frankly, "that your timber sold for eight hundred pounds."

Sir Digby had not known, had not guessed the amount. He could not refrain from a smile at the sudden rise in the value of his property since the old steward had been replaced by the new. He felt more assured than ever that his finances would soon recover from their state of depression, when his estate

was left to the management of such a man as Holdich. The baronet's pride, even had a better feeling been wanting, would have prevented his taking advantage of the frank honesty of his steward to retract aught of his own munificent offer. Sir Digby, ere commencing his new course of retrenchment, felt satisfaction in performing one splendid act of generosity, worthy of a Lestrange. It soothed his pride, it flattered his self-love; and to the astonishment of Holdich, who but the day before had nerved his soul for a life-long wrestle with poverty, the steward found himself the possessor of a sum which at once placed him and those whom he loved, in a position of comfort and ease.

Holdich was, as we know, a man of few words, and never was he less able to express his feelings than at that moment of joy. Suddenly all the clouds had rolled from his sky-shame-persecutionpoverty-grief-had vanished like dreams in the morning. They had left nothing behind but a grateful remembrance of perils past, and temptations overcome, and stronger faith, more rejoicing confidence in the wisdom and goodness of One who never faileth to deliver those who put their steadfast faith in His love.

XXIX.

Children of Light.

CHEERFUL, joyful party assembled in the cottage on the following day, to hear the concluding lecture on the history of Daniel,

which was to be suceeded by others. None of the servants from the Castle were present; but several of the rustics came from neighbouring hamlets, and farmer Sterne would not miss the opportunity. Heartily he congratulated Robert and Rebekah. "I knew that all would end well!" he exclaimed; "slander may get the first start, but truth always wins in the long run!"

Ned rejoiced with a chastened joy, for he could not forget that his past sufferings had sprung, not from the malice of his enemies alone, but from his own weakness and wilful disobedience. With him regret for the past mingled with gratitude for the present.

Why if that ain't Sir Digby himself!" exclaimed farmer Sterne with surprise; "he's leading his child by the hand, blessings on her sweet, bright little face. You never did a better deed in your life, Holdich,

than when you saved her from being buried alive. under them ruins."

His

Sir Digby was indeed coming to grace the cottage of his steward a second time by his presence. step was less proud, his glance less haughty; it may be hoped that the mortifications and cares of the last few days had not been without a salutary effect on his spirit. He had seen written in the dust of the Walhalla in characters which he could not but read, the vanity of earthly pomp, the uncertainty of human enjoyment.

Edith, released from her irons, felt like a prisoner freed from his chain. To the buoyant spirit of childhood the prospect of a visit to Italy, in the company of her father, opened a vista of almost unmingled delight. "Oh, how happy I should be," she exclaimed, looking smilingly up into the face of Rebekah, “if only I could take you with me; and if-" here the smile passed away, "poor Marion was not so terribly ill."

"Marion is much better," said Rebekah, whose whole countenance now beamed with such happiness as she never before had known, "and till God please to restore her to health, you may be sure that I shall nurse her as carefully as if she were my own child." She does not deserve it from you," said Edith, "she did not mean to speak for your Ned, only when she was ill the words came without her knowing it. It was cruel and wicked in Marion to hide the truth so long."