"No; is he coming?"

"I thought he was here. I am sure he has been abroad."

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Impossible! if so, where would he come but here? Well, come home with me.”

"Not yet, Ellen; this paradise invites me. I have travelled night and day, I have had no rest; let me sit beside you for a few moments on this fresh grass, these flowers, springing up as winter is gone, like the hopes in my heart, Ellen-these dark forests, that one sunbeam can make so gay as one smile can light up my gloomy life. Look, Ellen, how beautiful is this world! See how yon pines seem like an army of giants to descend the mountain, and encamp in yon plain, while others appear winding onwards towards the snowy mountains, that Fancy makes the giant tents of a race of Anaks! Let me rest here, and look at once on the great and the beautiful."

1

"When you have seen my uncle, we will

return here. I will not rob him of this pleasure, You have never been an exile, or you would know what to an exile is a visitor from his home."

"Never been an exile, Ellen!-Oh, have I ever been aught else?"

"Come," and she took his arm; 66 my uncle will expect me; the post will be in." "And what can the post bring you, that you so long for it?"

"Letters from......from......home, from Augusta......my mother......Julian!"

De Villeneuve was obliged to yield; he accompanied Ellen to the villa, was welcomed with rapture by Mr. Lindsay, and with great courtesy by Miss Tibby. De Villeneuve gave Mr. Lindsay the important letter from Sir Peter, which he had carefully resealed; Miss Tibby found a silent if not an attentive listener to her sarcasms on Miss Babie, and "the auld fule Grunter;" and, when Mr. Lindsay retired to read and answer his letter,

she, while De Villeneuve ground his teeth with impatience to be alone with Ellen, entered into a long comparison of the demerits of Grunter, compared to the excellences o' Donald o' the Brae, and the faults o' Miss Babie, her coquetry, her folly, and her forwardness, compared to her own modesty, discretion, and reserve.

CHAPTER LXX.

"Then did I seek to rise

Out of the prison of my mean estate,

And with such jewels as the exploring mind

Brings from the caves of Knowledge, buy my ransom

From those twin gaolers of the daring heart

Low Birth and Iron Fortune."

The Lady of Lyons.

The morning after De Villeneuve's arrival came a letter from Julian: it announced that he had received an offer of a lucrative situation in the Colonies, to act as Secretary to a nobleman, and Editor of a magazine.

"It will be," he said, "an unspeakable pang to me to sever myself thus from all so dear to me, but I shall be able to ensure your comfort, to supply your wants, and, perhaps, some day to realise enough to return and dwell among you again. To accept this offer

VOL. III.

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I only await your consent, dear father, and then I shall contrive to pay you a brief farewell-visit......and depart, strong in Hope and the conscience of feelings sacrificed to duties." Ellen wept as she read, but Mr. Lindsay's eyes beamed with paternal pride and love.

"Sir Peter Riskwell's letter had decided me to visit England in a few days," he said; "besides, I have, I think, found suitable tenants for Lindsay Hall, and I would see you all there once more, before I resign the home of my fathers. But now I would set off at once. Prepare all things, dear Ellen let us go to-morrow.”

"I have business of great importance to settle in England," said Grunter, nervously mending a pen, blushing, and glancing from under his shaggy eyebrows at Babie, who was playing with the black tassels of her scarf, and coquettishly holding her head on one side. "I will accompany you, sir, Deo volente."