the circumstances. But, when it became evident that no disclosures awaited his hearing, that, contrary to the usual rule, his sympathy was not exacted, his advice not sought, he felt good reasons must have ordered concealment, and he passed from the subject.

"I will stroll with you, on one stipulation," replied Lord Percy, in answer to Albert Grey's invitation.

"Name it," said his friend.

"That our stroll extends to the cottage of your protégé, Farmer Jennings,” replied Lord Percy Huron," where my horse awaits me; and that you send your own forward, that I may be enabled to keep you prisoner for the day. John and myself are, to-day, the only inhabitants of the castle. You will dine with us; I will ride back with you to-morrow. You must not rehearse any more tragic scenes to-day," continued his lordship; " and you will inevitably do so, if left again to your own devices."

"You are a rash man, and undutiful brother!" replied Mr. Grey. "My leaden spirits will weigh down your own appetite and

that of Lord John, if I sit at the same table with you. But you have sought your own punishment. You must, however, excuse me in the evening. I have matters to think upon, and resolves to arrange, that require my head to lie to-night upon its accustomed pillow."

"Oh! you shall leave us as soon as you are weary of us, without doubt!" answered Lord Percy.

The arrangements were made-the horse and groom were despatched, and the friends commenced their stroll across the fields towards the cottage of the farmer.

"Congratulations, Grey," observed Lord Percy Huron, taking Albert Grey's arm, as they left the Retreat. "Congratulations are like the answers of the echo; however true and sincere to the last, at each repetition they strike less forcibly upon the ear. I came to offer mine on your friend's preferment; but I fear that the sound of good wishes must, by this time, have become vapid and wearisome."

"It is neither the novelty nor the variety of good wishes," responded Mr. Grey," that establishes their value; but it is their sincerity."

"True!" answered his lordship; "but, unfortunately, that is a quality, Grey, which makes it occasionally distressing to offer them. To confess my own sins, I am scarcely sincere at this moment. You ought, yourself, to have filled the office which my father has conferred upon another; and, I believe, upon a less worthy one. I fancy," continued Lord Percy Huron, "that I am the only acquaintance within a score of miles, who has not, as yet, made a pretty speech to Molyneux himself on the subject; for his good fortune has spread far and wide, as upon wings, and he is a universal favourite. He is an excellent fellow; but you know my confounded-my ungenerous prejudice, hastily adopted against him, and unjustly continued. His admirable character, I fully admit; his interesting and brilliant society I court; but a painful, because an unjust prejudice, has clung to me, from the first hour of our meeting at the university. In short, Grey, I cannot formally congratulate Molyneux."

"Why, then, come to the Retreat, for the

express purpose of saying the friendly thing to me?" asked Albert Grey.

"Because, in your rejoicings I can honestly profess a participation!" responded Lord Percy.

Lord Percy Huron had too recently beheld the tyrannical power of some master-thought over his companion, to be surprised at a sudden relapse into silence and absence. Albert Grey made no further remark, as they walked over the hard and frosty footpath through the fields. Their arrival at the farm of Jennings alone disturbed the unsociable meditations of Mr. Grey.

66

CHAPTER X.

May good digestion wait on appetite."

SHAKESPEARE.

"AN ominous number at table to-day," said Lord Percy Huron, as he rejoined Mr. Grey in the magnificent old oak library of Byborough Castle, to await the dinner suminons.

66

My noble father has eloped with Lord Dumbledore and Mr. Auget, to dine with the quarterly assemblage of farmers, at the King's Head, at Dumbleton. After dinner, the marquess purposed to honour them, by explaining his own indefatigable ardour for the welfare of the county. Lord Dumbledore will then inspire them with a sense of his own protection extended to the agricultural interest, and of his adoration of the corn-laws; and our wealthy neighbour, the magistrate, and member-expectant for the snug Castle Byborough, is