to get for you; but it must be only by-and-bye, when this matter may be somewhat blown over. I have to prepare for my Sunday duty, and it is inconvenient for me to leave home: yet this thing is so urgent, and so much for your good, that I am going to ride over this very day-nay, my horse and saddlebags are even now being got in readiness.”

It is in vain to attempt describing the feelings of mingled gratitude, fear, hope, and vexation with which all this was listened to by Ayliffe.

you

"You know that I am dealing kindly by you," continued Mr. Hylton, "and now make me, and keep when you make it, a promise-that will never, knowingly, speak again to a poacher, or receive game from him, or by means of him; nor let any unlawfully come into your hands or your house."

"As I'm a true man, Sir, for all that's just happened, I never will, Sir; even though we be all starving!" replied Ayliffe, with energy.

"God will not permit you to starve, Adam, depend upon it: you shall not, at least, while we live at the parsonage so now, my poor friend, go back home, and comfort your wife and father as well as you may. I have a very long day's ride before me."

So they parted. About ten minutes afterwards Ayliffe, trudging homeward, was overtaken by Mr.

Hylton on horseback, in travelling trim, having thus made good his word, and being already on his errand of goodness.

"God bless you, Adam," said he, as he passed smartly along.

"God Almighty bless you, Sir!-and thank you!" faltered Ayliffe, almost inaudibly, taking off his hat, and gazing bare-headed after his benefactor till he was hid from his sight.

How little either of those two thought, at that moment, of what was ordained to happen before they met again!

When Ayliffe reached the cottage, he found that Mrs. Hylton had not long before quitted it, having spent half an hour by his wife's bed-side, and left with her two bottles of cowslip, and one of port wine, together with some rice, tea, sugar, two rabbits, and nearly a quarter of a cheese, all of which had been most sympathisingly carried by the servant who accompanied her, and who had known Mrs. Ayliffe in her happier days at the parsonage. When Ayliffe had been made aware of the visit of his gentle benefactress, he stood gazing in tearful silence at the prints of her slender feet, in the snow, homeward; and his heart was so full that he could have fallen down and kissed them, as traces of an angel's visit.

E

The next morning he presented himself, as usual, to his employers; who, however, rejected his services, having heard of the atrocity of which he had just been convicted, and being moreover directly under the influence of Mr. Oxley, from whose noble master had been purloined the hare which lay buried behind the cottage: having attained thereby a distinction possibly never conferred upon hare before.

Three days elapsed before Mr. Hylton returned, and when he did, it was with a sad and averted countenance that he passed the cottage at a quick pace: for his friend had, not unreasonably, deemed the conviction for poaching to be an insuperable obstacle in the way of receiving Ayliffe as the master of the newly established school. Still the resolute kindness of Mr. Hylton led him to persevere, though with faint hopes, and he determined to get up, if possible, a memorial in favour of poor Ayliffe's irreproachable character, from the leading people in the village. On the Sunday Mr. Hylton observed that young Ayliffe was absent from church, and sent the clerk at the close of the service to old Ayliffe, who was in his usual place, but with a very dejected look; desiring him to attend for a moment in the vestry. When he appeared, Mr. Hylton shook him warmly by the hand, told him of the disappointment which he had experienced; and seemed

much affected when the old man explained to him that it was pure shame only that had kept his son from church, seeing that all present would have had their eyes on him. him. Mr. Hylton also heard with anxiety that the young man had continued in a very moody humour, and had let fall, as he had supposed unnoticed by his father, certain expressions which had somewhat disquieted him; for they were of an unforgiving nature.

"Talk you to him, Ayliffe," said Mr. Hylton earnestly, "and in a day or two's time I will come and speak to him. But I wish first to see whether I may yet be able to bring you cheering news about the school."

And Ayliffe did talk to his son, often and seriously; and so were they engaged, on the evening but one before Christmas, when a rumbling sound, coming from the direction of the high road, which, as has been already explained, ran at only a little distance from the front of the cottage, caused both of them to walk towards the door; where they stood, just as a coroneted travelling carriage and four, followed by two others, turned the corner, being those of Lord Alkmond, the only son and heir of the Earl of Milverstoke, coming down to the Castle for the Christmas holidays.

"Stay, Adam, and pay respect to the pay respect to the young Lord," quoth the old man to his son, preparing to uncover.

66

Honour to whom honour is due!"

"No I will not, if even thou, mine own father, went on thy knees," said his son sternly, walking inward; while old Ayliffe, standing rigidly erect, respectfully took off his broad hat, exhibiting as fine a bald head, fringed with silvery hair, as ever had been uncovered to the young Lord; who, catching sight of him, returned the courtesy in a hasty military fashion (for he was an officer in the Guards) as they shot past. He knew no more than the beautiful boy whom he was at the moment fondling, of the injurious and offensive proceedings of Mr. Oxley towards the owner of that cottage.

"There will be rare doings, by and bye, at the Castle, I warrant me," said the old man, retiring into the cottage. They be like to make a merry

Christmas on 't!"-and he sighed.