no whisker. Here I was forced to give a little cry of pain as he was setting the bone before applying the splints, which obliged me to close my eyes for awhile.

When I renewed my observations I saw that he was tall, quite six feet, and well-built in proportion. His hands were so beautifully moulded, and yet so strong and tender, that I felt they were in a measure a key to his whole character, although, to tell the truth, I did not then define my impressions with the accuracy later observation and blessed experience have enabled me to paint so faithfully.

When the operation was over, I tried to rise, but found to my dismay that I was too weak to get very far, the accident had so unnerved me. In making the effort I nearly fainted again.

"If you will allow me, Miss Prior, I shall be happy to drive you home. I have only one other visit to make in the neighbourhood; and if you don't mind waiting, I will call for you when it is I don't think you are fit to walk," he added.

over.

I thanked him, and accepted his offer, saying, "I felt sure my aunt and uncle would feel grateful for his kindness," for I saw nothing better to do.

As soon as he was gone I asked Mrs. O'Brien who he was, and must give her reply in moderated accents.

66

Why, Miss, he is Docther Addison, the blessedest man in the town, glory be to God! as fine a man as ever trod in shoe-leather; him as had never no call to do a hand's turn of work when he was born into the world, as the old housekeeper told me, who comes here when things are wanting, and bought a pair of candlesticks only last week. Well, she it was who told me, and there can be none as knows better, seeing she brought him up by hand, and fine trouble he gave her. Well, she says how his father was a mighty fine gentleman, the squire of some place a good ways off from this, who kept his hunters and his hounds, and his game-birds, and the blessed Virgin only knows what beside, and spent his money like a real gentleman as he was. Such fine eaten' and drinkin' as there was, with one comin' and another goin', and twenty servants in the kitchen, livin' on the fat of the land, and my young gentleman here heir to it all, off away in foreign parts takin' his pleasure, with money enough and to spare in his pockets, and his mother such a sweet lady-but oh, deary me! the changes in families as never was! Only to think, all of a sudden, when the young man was at the tip-top of his enjoyment upon enjoyments, the old gentleman dies, and when it came to be seen what money he left, never a sixpence was there to be had, but just the fine lot of debts! for if he had been spendin' his money like a real gentleman as he was, it was borrowin' of it he was all the time of those who robbed him

right and left, and the whole fine estate was sold up, and the lady died of a broken heart, and the young gentleman was left next door to a beggar on the world, to the tender mercies of his rich relation —and he has a power of them-for his support; but what does he do, but gather up the small bit of money he had left and learns to be a docther, aud it was three years ago he came here and bought up old Dr. Malden's practice, and been a blessin' to the place ever since; but here he is, come to fetch ye.'

CHAPTER VII.

"SERVANT.-Sir, my Lord Foppington presents his humble service to you.... if it be not inconvenient to you, he'll come and wait on you.' "LOVE. Give my compliments to his Lordship, and I shall be glad to see him."" Trip to Scarborough.

I REGARDED him with fresh interest on his return. Instead of making any reply to his polite apologies for keeping me waiting, I kept silence, thinking he reminded me of a verse of Scripture: "And the rains descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and it beat against that house; but it fell not, for it was founded upon a rock."

I might be deceiving myself-who does not at times?-but I thought, "Here is a good man and true."

Having delivered my uncle's message at last, I drove home with Mr. Addison.

I think we both felt it an odd sort of introduction, for neither of us found our powers of speech until we came within sight of my uncle's house; when he inquired if we were not recent arrivals in Southport.

“Yes,” I replied; "but perhaps you will come and make the acquaintance of my aunt and uncle. I am sure they will wish to thank you for your prompt assistance."

Dolly, who was at the window as we drove up, told me after. wards she thought I had captured the much-looked-for Colonel Domville, that we were all expecting, and whom I used to laugh at, as the " grandfather" of Dolly's hopes, when I remembered how she had declared she would marry her grandfather even, in order to escape the perpetual martyrdom of Uncle Worthington.

My aunt became alarmed on seeing me thus accompanied, and conjectured rightly that some accident had happened. Accepting my invitation to enter and be introduced, Mr. Addison followed me into the dining-room. I felt very nervous and awkward, but managed to tell my tale, which provoked an impatient exclamation from my aunt against my uncle.

"I am so unhappy to think he should have sent you into such dangers. You shall never go again. He has no idea of what is right when he has his hobby in hand.”

She then turned to Mr. Addison, and was profuse in her thanks. "So very fortunate for my niece that you were in the neighbourhood though I am sorry-so very sorry-she has been exposed in such a place, and under such circumstances, to this accident."

"I think it is nothing that need alarm you," he replied; “she will soon be well."

Dolly, at this point, sailed into the room. She was always on a magnificent scale was Dolly, and I felt very proud to introduce my handsome sister to Mr. Addison. I could see she was full of curiosity to learn who he was, and what had brought him; so I went through the whole again for her. In the midst of my recital my uncle walked in, asking the success of my undertaking.

"Don't'inquire," I replied; "you are in such disgrace, and have nearly been the death of me!"

Allow me to introduce to you the gentleman whose kindness has been of so much service," said my aunt, stiffly.

Poor Uncle Worthington was profound in his sorrow for having brought me into trouble, and nearly embraced the doctor for coming to the rescue.

'Well, my dear, I hope it will be a lesson to you, not to be so eager after antiquities!" said my aunt with a laugh, as she used the polished long word to conceal his mania for second-hand goods.

"My dear lady, every man has a perfect right to buy in the cheapest market he can," replied my uncle, stoutly, who was not to be won over by any fine phrases or polite figures of speech, and who would have been quite ready to lay bare his small economies, had not my aunt wisely changed the conversation.

My uncle was most friendly to our new acquaintance, and insisted on taking him upstairs to the cabin a small smoking-room in which he kept his collection of Indian curiosities.

66

I declare," said Dolly, when they had left the room, "you have had a most romantic adventure. I begin to think I had better volunteer to go in quest of varnish for Uncle Worthington for the future, in the hope that I may become the heroine of an accident equally romantic."

"Barring the broken crockery and sprained wrist," I exclaimed, "which is anything but romantic."

66

'But who is your hero?" she inquired.

"A very good young man, I am sure," said my aunt, "and skilful, no doubt."

I then narrated Mrs. O'Brien's tale.

"Quite a hero, all but his general appearance!" said Dolly, with a shrug. She had an instinctive repugnance to adversity in any form; and I knew how hopeless it was to try and convert her on this point. It was a painful weakness with her to gauge people by the prosperity of their circumstances: she could only assimilate with the rich and well-to-do.

On their return to the dining-room, Mr. Addison expressed his admiration of my uncle's collection; the various West-Indian petrefactions had especially pleased him.

"I haven't unpacked everything yet, but when I have, and the cabin is in order, I shall be very happy to see you, sir, to a friendly pipe," said my uncle, delighted; "and the ladies here, I am sure, will be pleased to see you also. Jane, my dear, don't forget an extra knife and fork for Mr. Addison, whenever he likes to come. Our dinner hour is two o'clock; any time you are passing we shall be pleased to see you. I make the invitation as I want it accepted. We are plain people, sir, living in a plain way, late dinners don't agree with us; but we shall be always glad to see you sit to our early one when you like to come."

Another pin-prick for Dolly, who dislsked our quiet mode of life, and was mortified at having the nakedness of the land exposed to a stranger.

My aunt, however, seconded the invitation, adding timidly"We have not as yet required the professional attendance of anyone. It will oblige us very much if you will continue the treatment you have commenced."

The subject of all these attentions was beginning to feel over. whelmed. He did not say very much; but simply thanking my aunt and uncle for their kind and cordial invitation, he left, promising to call again, professionally, in a few days.

Dolly made a grimace as soon as he had gone, expressive of her relief, and then helped me to take off my bonnet, while my aunt poured out a glass of wine, which she felt sure I must need after all I had gone through.

Thus engaged we did not hear the sound of wheels, nor did we see the carriage and pair which drove up; we were only made aware of the fact by our flurried, inexperienced housemaid, who was knocked off her balance by the unlooked-for grandeur, and ran breathless into the dining-room to know what she was to do with the gentleman in question, handing me his card.

"Oh, Dolly!" I exclaimed, "the long-looked-for has come at last. It is Colonel Domville, my dear!"

"You don't say so!" cried my aunt and sister in one breath. "Show him up to the drawing-room.”

We had talked so much about him, and had moreover grown to connect him so continually in our minds with our mysterious annuity, that his advent possessed no small interest for us, especially for Dolly, who, I fancy, hoped to find in him the possible Perseus who would free her from her rock-bound sphere of fashion, to one of greater scope, adorned with wealth and power.

"Is my cap straight?" said Aunt Jane, giving it a becoming little pat, and putting herself into position.

"You are beautiful!" said Dolly. "Don't delay, dear Aunt Jane; it is so rude to keep him waiting! You won't come, will you, Mim?"

"No, thank you, dear. I have had adventures enough for one day. I might faint again, or do something equally absurd-it is your turn now," I said, depositing myself comfortably on the sofa.

My aunt had gone, but Dolly remained just for a moment to say

Oh, Mim, dear; I wonder what he is like!"

Poor Dolly she was evidently thinking of him in the light of a "grandfather."

CHAPTER VIII.

"AMANDA.-' Does not your Lordship love reading, then?'
"LORD FOR. Oh, passionately, Madam !'”

A Trip to Scarborough.-SHERIDAN,

He remained fully half-an-hour, and then, warned by his heavy tread, I placed myself in a convenient position to observe his depar.

ture.

A tall, thin figure, spectacles, straggling whiskers inclining to grey, moustaches of the same, were all that the passing glance I caught allowed me to take in, as he crossed the gravel walk and reached the shrubbery which hid him from sight.

Dolly at that moment came blushing into the room, followed by my aunt.

"Oh, Mim," she exclaimed; "I wish you had been with us. I never saw such distinguished manners in my life! Hadn't he, Aunt Jane?"

"Yes, my love, a perfect gentleman," replied my aunt, in a subdued voice and look, as if still under the influence of his excessive superiority.

"And so clever!" continued Dolly, with enthusiasm; "his manner of speech so refined and elegant, full of quotations.”

"Yes," echoed my aunt, whose conversation, I suspect, never