reader learns that Colonel Jones was no other than Ellic Kilvert,—Major James, Three Farthing Nick,—and the Chevalier Gabrielli, that dingy son of the ditch and field, Black Kenneth.

The transformations they had severally undergone were for a double purpose; first, to make more secure the concealment which their past deeds required; secondly, to make them, nominally at least, suitable friends and companions for a baronet. It was a whim of Black Kenneth's own to play the chevalier, from a conceit that he looked more like an "outlandish foreign mounseer," (as he said), "than a true-born Englishman." As to Kilvert and Three Farthing Nick, they were godfathers to each other.

Andrew, during the proceedings necessary to establish Stephen in his rights (but not until Sir Everton had announced his determination to relinquish all further opposition), took a trip to Aberystwith, to communicate how matters stood, and settle their future movements. Black Kenneth returned with him to London; and when everything was ready, and the day appointed for Stephen to

take possession of Azledine Hall, a letter was despatched to Kilvert and Three Farthing Nick to break up their quarters, and journey southward, to welcome their friend on his arrival. Hence the occurrences which have been related in this chapter.

CHAPTER VI.

Your strange habits

Invite me with desire to understand

Both what you are, and whence, because no country (And I have measured some) shows me your like. The Spanish Gipsy.

Ir was a strange sight to look upon, as Sir Stephen and his guests sat at supper, in that same room where Sir Everton and his family, with Aston and the Rector, had taken their evening meal the night preceding their departure. It was a stranger sight still, to see farmer Mayfield sitting at the table, on the right hand of his lady daughter; and the runaway lad of a few years' back, filling the place so lately occupied by him who then threatened he should "smart for his freak."

The servants were obsequious (menials ever are, till they desire to change their places); but there was nothing like respectful alacrity

in their manner. Judiah took his station, as he had been wont, behind the chair of his master; and though his honest heart ached to think of the change, (how would it have ached had he known that he who was once his master then lay in a prison !) he reflected, with a sort of satisfaction, that Sir Stephen was an Azledine, whatever else he might be.

As was to be expected, there were sundry oversights, and manifold neglects of customary observances, which rather embarrassed those who were waiting. Habit had instructed them in the external refinements of good breeding, and everything which it was their business to do touching the usual ceremonies of the table, was duly attempted; but sometimes they were stared at; at others, disregarded; and often flatly told "not to trouble themselves."

Colonel Jones and Major James were, upon the whole, the least suspicious gentlemen of the party. The former might really have passed for a soldier who had lived all his life in barracks or the camp; for though his carriage was rough and unpolished, it was also frank, manly, and decisive; while the Major, as we formerly remarked, retained those traces of birth

and early associations which denoted him a person not of inbred vulgarity or original meanness. Mayfield was a coarse personification of a low mind exalted, where the power to have its will loosens all the bonds which before restrained it. As to the Chevalier, with his swart complexion, ferocious aspect, and athletic build, it must be confessed, fine clothes did nothing more for him than bestow the appearance of a bandit, dressed up in some of the rich spoil, which had fallen to his share upon a division.

In the demeanour of Sir Stephen, there was all that self-importance of upstart boyishness, which the sudden transition from poverty to wealth, and from obscurity to rank, might be expected to call forth. He alone strove to assume the manners suitable to his new condition; but it was done with grotesque solemnity. He evidently felt what it was to be a baronet; to see himself surrounded with liveried attendants and those attendants — his own; to sit under a roof covering stately apartments, and those apartments, sumptuously furnished,— his own ; to quaff his own wines, and use his own plate. It was an intense emanation of self, an