Snobyn for pecuniary aid, and this before Mr. Dalton's remains were well cold in the tomb, was a degradation to himself and to Emily not to be thought of-or rather to Emily-for of his own feelings just now he could not, would not, had no right to think.

And yet to return to her without the power of adding one comfort to her sick bed, or of providing any reviving change of scene or air for the period of her convalescence !-nay-without the means even to buy her a mourning garment!

Stung to the very heart, as this thought crossed his mind, he started up, swallowed his hitherto untasted wine, glass after glass, as quickly as he could pour it out, and hastened to shut himself up in his bedchamber.

He came down in the morning unrefreshed by sleep, unrevived by hope, sickening at the task before him, yet nerved unflinchingly to do what he had now resolved it was his duty to do-apply to

Mrs. de Snobyn for pecuniary assistance for his sick wife, the only child of her great benefactor.

He went to the Manor House, sent in his card, and was instantly admitted. He was ushered to the drawing-room, (how well he knew it,) where he was received by an elegant-looking woman beautifully attired in deep mourning-Mrs. de Snobyn. She had with her a ladylike, fashionable looking girl, and a genteel-looking young man, both also dressed in new mourning, whom she introduced as her daughter and

son.

"Let me beg you to be seated, Mr. Meredith. Augustus, relieve Mr. Meredith of his hat and cane. Suffer my son to take them, my dear sir. May I venture to hope that poor Mrs. Meredith is well? I sympathize with her, I assure you, most deeply."

And these last words were spoken with such intonation, and such expressive kind

ness of manner, that Meredith's heart seemed lightened at once.

"I grieve to say, that Mrs. Meredith is very ill the shock of her father's death has endangered her own life."

"But she is better, I trust ?"

66

Surely, madam, or you would hardly have seen me here. She is now, I hope, in a fair way of recovery."

"I rejoice to hear it you must take care of her, Mr. Meredith; but, I am sure," added she, with a most courteous smile and bend-"I need not make that suggestion to you."

Meredith bowed-and sighed.
The lady sighed too.

"I feel sure that the sudden, the very sudden demise of poor Mr. Dalton must have been a great shock to you: my daughters and I have often referred to you and have felt for you much, I assure you."

Meredith bowed again.

"You will, probably, as soon as Mrs. Meredith is convalescent, let her have change of air and change of scene. Believe me, my dear sir, it will be your best course. She is young, and, I have understood, of an ardent temper. Her grief, at first, must have its way; but, believe me, change of scene will do wonders for her. You will try it, will you not?" "If possible, madam."

"Oh, my dear sir, you must make it possible. Believe me, I speak as a friend, having had much experience myself."

At this moment the young lady whispered something to her mother.

"Ha, well thought on, Helena: yes, my dear, I will. My daughter suggests to me, Mr. Meredith, that I should refer to yourself a little matter which we have been discussing this morning. We are, as you may probably have learnt, about to dismember this place, and we were desirous of making some little offering to Mrs. Meredith, which she might appreciate as a

memorial of her former abode. Would she honour me by accepting such a memorial?"

Mrs. de Snobyn looked enquiringly, and Meredith bent a sort of acknowledgment; his heart heaved, and his face flushed, but speak he could not.

"The butler here, Mr. Harvey-a very respectable person he seems to be, and has, I find, resided in the family from his childhood-perhaps you know him, Mr. Meredith?"

Another bow.

"He, hearing our conversation on this point for it occurred while he was packing up the plate-suggested that Miss Emily-excuse me, but so the old man always names Mrs. Meredith-would rather have that than anything in the house;" and she pointed to a small but very rich and elaborately carved cabinet which stood in a corner of the room. "Harvey said that his young lady had been accustomed to call it her own from a very child, and