"No, I have had no occasion." 66 Then, take my word for it, you'll fail. Look at me with all my advantages, I've only just achieved what you think to do at once I've actually only just made a name!" "I shall never attempt the sort of distinction you have obtained," said Julian, with a quiet smile; "still, I may do something, as you, dear father, say. With love, and youth, and strength, and hope, to buoy him up, a man must be weak indeed to sink beneath the first blow of fortune....but you.... but you...." and the tears would force themselves down his cheeks. "Ah! will all I can do prevent your feeling this dreadful change?” At this moment Screech, who was in the large cage on the roof of the carriage, and Fatima, who was looking out of a window, set up their shrillest notes of recognition, and the next moment a young girl rose from a bank, on which she had been seated, screened by a large tree, and, rushing forward, threw herself into the arms of old Mr. Lindsay. Ellen, my own darling!" he said, looking fondly into her tearful eyes, "this is kind indeed! Why, she never came thus far to welcome her rich uncle." "My poor uncle is a thousand times dearer to me!" sobbed Ellen. Old Mr. Lindsay's remark was just fond as Ellen had always been of him, till this occasion, she had never, in her watch for him, exceeded the limits of her father's premises. There was something in her eagerness to greet him, in the long and lonely ramble she had taken to do so, and in the fervour of her tearful and clinging embraces, which spoke volumes to her uncle's heart. "And where is Augusta?" asked Julian, in a somewhat disappointed tone. "She did not know I was coming," said Ellen, offering her hand. He took it without further comment, and, presently falling behind, left his father to poor Ellen's girlish and weeping consolations. But the hill was passed, and the party returned to the carriage. Miss Tibby was silent and consequential; she thought, in her sudden reflected poverty, that it was the best way of keeping up her importance. Annie was sad, and Ellen, clasping her uncle's hands, and repressing her tears, did all her heavy heart could suggest to cheer him, and marvelled that the ruin of his fortunes, at his advanced age, had not stolen the calm from his brow, nor the benevolent smile from his lip. CHAPTER LIV. "Light they disperse, and with them go GRAY. It was not in her first reception of her brother-in-law and his family, that the total change in Mrs. Lindsay's feelings became apparent. She welcomed him with professions of delight and pride, which long her lips, as words of course. habit brought to She was perhaps a little less entranced than usual with Mr. Grunter, Miss Tibby, and Annie; and Julian was not embraced with rapture; while Fatima, and Screech, instead of being "exquisite loves," were only noticed as "poor dears." She did not express any very great ecstacy when she heard that Capricorn would arrive by a waggon in a day or two; but, still, there was nothing to find fault with in her manner. Gregory Lindsay seemed awakened to the things of this world by his brother's misfortunes, and was all affectionate solicitude and eager attention. Ellen thought she could never do enough to welcome the party, and Augusta had not yet appeared. All were assembled in the drawing-room, awaiting the announcement of dinner, when she entered. Old Gregory, in an earnest conference with his brother, was imploring him to make the Rectory his home, and to share all he possessed. Mrs. Lindsay, while pretending to listen to Miss Tibby's long stories, was trying to catch the conversation between her husband and his brother, in order, when alone with the former, to lecture him, if requisite. Annie was sitting, thinking, as she called it. Grunter was mechanically mending all the pens in an inkstand on the table; Ellen was playing some of Julian's favourite airs, while he stood on the rug with Sir Peter Riskwell; |