feared of late years was stealing over the mind, as it has long shrouded the body. But that she suspects 'something rotten in the state of Denmark,' is very evidentwhat it is, I suppose time will show. Good night."

CHAPTER XX.

THE important Wednesday came, and Mrs. de Snobyn, her two eldest daughters, and her son Augustus were driven up to Lady Marchmont's hotel, at precisely the correct moment. They were very cordially welcomed, but very earnest regrets were expressed at the absence of the two younger children, and especially of Mr. de Snobyn.

"I regret the circumstance very much myself," said Mrs. de Snobyn; "and so

indeed does Mr. de Snobyn; but he is so extremely unwell as to be obliged to forego the pleasure of the visit. My youngest daughter and son remain at home to nurse and amuse him."

"I should have thought, Miss de Snobyn," muttered Lady Marchmont, glancing at Helena.

"My eldest daughter was indeed most anxious, most solicitous to stay with her father," (a fib-we need hardly tell our readers,) "she is indeed a most admirable nurse but Mr. de Snobyn would not hear of her being debarred from so great a pleasure as this visit will afford, on his account : moreover Charlotte's childish naïveté amuses him greatly my eldest daughter is, as becomes her age, rather more sedate."

Lady Marchmont was by this time arranging her knitting to lay it aside, which cannot be done, as every knitter knows, until the needles are safely poised; an ex

ploit which, as we have before seen, the good lady never achieved in a hurry.

But she was not wanted Mrs. de Snobyn and Sir Charles were conversing on Mr. de Snobyn's illness which the lady was afraid of making too serious, lest her old fashioned, matter of fact cousins should feel surprise at her leaving him: and she feared to treat it lightly lest a soupcon of the truth should suggest itself to them— the said truth being that Mr. de Snobyn was perfectly well, but little inclined for a "grandee visit," and his lady wife being not at all solicitous to exhibit him, the matter was easily arranged.

Redwald was very quickly engaged in an animated discourse with both young ladies, and the social feelings of the family party were progressing most satisfactorily when the door opened, and the servant announced,

"Mr. and Miss Snobbins."

Mrs. de Snobyn started, and stared, yes absolutely stared-she had distrusted the

evidence of her ears, and could hardly believe that of her eyes, when Abel entered the room, with Maude hanging on his

arm.

More wonders still. The usually undemonstrative Lady Marchmont seemed to forget her knitting altogether, for it fell unheeded to the ground as she passed forward, and putting her arm round Maude, kissed her affectionately, a caress which Maude returned with equal warmth. The old lady was then proceeding to remark on her appearance and on the alteration in it, when Sir Charles interrupted her,

"Come, come, my lady, let me have my turn," and he too kissed Maude, saying however

"But I shall be afraid of a repulse soon, why you are really quite a young lady." Yes indeed," said Redwald, "who would have thought that this was little Maude, my little dumpling of a play fellow Madge-I suppose I must say Miss Snobbins now