Self is no object of theirs, and it is the casting self behind that wins -not always the visible earthly strife, but the combat between good and evil. They are the true victors, and whether chronicled or forgotten, true glory rests on their heads, the sole true glory that man can attain, namely, the reflected beams that crown them as shadowy types of Him whom Decius knew not-the Prince who gave himself for His people, and thus rendered Death, for Truth's sake, the highest boon to mortal man.

Norman, you must finish it! When will it be given in?'

'Next spring, if at all, but keep the secret, Ethel. I cannot have my father's hopes raised.'

'I'll tell you of a motto,' said Ethel. Do you remember Mrs. Hemans mention of a saying of Sir Walter Scott-" Never let me hear that brave blood has been shed in vain. It sends a roaring voice down through all time."

'If' said Norman, rather ashamed of the enthusiasm which, almost approaching to the so-called "funny state" of his younger days, had trembled in his voice, and kindled his eye, 'if you won't et me put "nascitur ridiculus mus.'

"Too obvious,' said Ethel. 'Depend upon it every undergraduate has thought of it already.'

Ethel was always very happy over Norman's secrets, and went about smiling over Decius, and comparing her brother with such a one as poor Meta was afflicted with; wasting some superfluous pity and contempt on the weary weight that was inflicted on the Grange. 'What do you think of me?' said Margaret, one afternoon. 'I have had Mr. George Rivers here for two hours.'

'Alone! what could bring him here?'

'I told him that everyone was out, but he chose to sit down, and seemed to be waiting.'

'How could you get on?'

'Oh! we asked a few questions, and brought out remarks, with great difficulty, at long intervals. He asked me if lying here was not a great nuisance, and, at last, he grew tired of twisting his moustache and went away.'

'I trust it was a call to take leave.'

'No, he thinks he shall sell out, for the army is a great nuisance.'

'You seem to have got into his confidence.'

'Yes, he said he wanted to settle down, but living with one's father was such a nuisance.'

'By-the-by!' cried Ethel, laughing. Margaret, it strikes me that this is a Dumbiedikes' courtship!

Of yourself?' said Margaret, slyly.

'No, of Flora. You know, she has often met him at the Grange and other places, and she does contrive to amuse him, and makę VOL. II.-3

him almost animated. I should not think he found her a great nuisance.'

'Poor man! I am sorry for him!' said Margaret.

'Oh! rejection will be very good for him, and give him some thing to think of.'

Flora will never let it come to that,' said Margaret. 'But not one word about it, Ethel!'

Margaret and Etheldred kept their eyes open, and sometimes imagined, sometimes laughed at themselves for their speculations, and so October began; and Ethel laughed, as she questioned whether the Grange would feel the Hussar's return to his quarters, as much as home would the departure of their scholar for Balliol.

CHAPTER VI.

So. Lady Flora, take my lay,

And if you find a meaning there,
Oh whisper to your glass, and say,
What wonder if he thinks me fair.

TENNYSON.

FLORA and Norman were dining with one of their county acquaintance, and Dr. May had undertaken to admit them on their return. The fire shone red and bright, as it sank calmly away, and the time-piece and clock on the stairs had begun their nightly duett of ticking, the crickets chirped in the kitchen, and the Doctor sat alone. His book lay with unturned pages, as he sat musing, with eyes fixed on the fire, living over again his own life, the easy bright days of his youth, when, without much pains on his own part, the tendencies of his generous affectionate disposition, and the influences of a warm friendship, and an early attachment, had guarded him from evil then the period when he had been perfectly happy, and the sobering power of his position had been gradually working on him; but though always religious and highly principled, the very goodness of his natural character preventing him from perceiving the need of self-control, until the shock that changed the whole tenor of his life, and left him, for the first time, sensible of his own responsibility, but, with inveterate habits of heedlessness and hastiness, that love alone give him force to combat. He was now a far gentler man. His younger children had never seen, his elder had long since forgotten, his occasional bursts of temper, but he suffered keenly from their effects, especially as regarded some of his children. Though Richard's timidity had been overcome, and Tom's more serious failures had been remedied, he was not without anxiety, and had a strange unsatisfactory feeling as regarded Flora. He could not feel that he had fathomed her! She reminded him of his old Scottish father-in-law, Profesior Mackenzie, whom he had

never understood, nor, if the truth were known, liked. Her dealings with the Ladies' Committee were so like her grandfather's canny ways in a public meeting, that he laughed over them-but they were not congenial to him. Flora was a most valuable person; all that she undertook prospered, and he depended entirely on her for household affairs, and for the care of Margaret; but, highly as he esteemed her, he was a little afraid of her cool prudence; she never seemed to be in any need of him, nor to place any confidence in him, and seemed altogether so much older and wiser than he could feel himself-pretty girl as she was—and very pretty were her fine blue eyes and clear skin, set off by her dark brown hair. There arose the vision of eyes as blue, skin as clear, but of light blonde locks, and shorter, rounder, more dove-like form, open simple loving face, and serene expression, that had gone straight to his heart, when he first saw Maggie Mackenzie making tea.

He heard the wheels, and went out to unbolt the door. Those were a pair for a father to be proud of—Norman, of fine stature, and noble looks, with his high brow, clear thoughtful eye, and grave intellectual eagle face, lighting into animation with his rare, sweet smile; and Flora, so tall and graceful, and in her white dress, picturesquely half-concealed by her mantle, with flowers in her hair, and a deepened colour in her cheek, was a fair vision, as she came in from the darkness.

'Well! was it a pleasant party?'

Norman related the circumstances, while his sister remained silently leaning against the mantel-piece, looking into the fire, until he took up his candle, and bade them good night. Dr. May was about to do the same, when she held out her hand. One moment, if you please, dear papa,' she said-'I think you ought to know it.' What, my dear?'

6

'Mr. George Rivers, papa-'

'Ha!' said Dr. May, beginning to smile. So that is what he is at, is it? But what an opportunity to take.'

'It was in the conservatory,' said Flora-a little hurt, as her father discovered by her tone. 'The music was going on, and I don't know that there could have been—'

'A better opportunity, eh?' said Dr. May, laughing; 'well, 1 should have thought it awkward; was he very much discomposed?' 'I thought,' said Flora, looking down and hesitating, that he had better come to you.'

I am

'Indeed! so you shifted the ungracious office to me. very glad to spare you, my dear; but it was hard on him to raise his hopes.'

I thought,' faultered Flora, 'that you could not disapprove 'Flora and he paused completely confounded, while his daughter was no less surprised at the manner in which her news

was received. Each waited for the other to speak, and Flora turned away, resting her head against the mantel-piece.

'Surely,' said he laying his hand on her shoulder, 'you do not mean that you like this man.'

'I did not think that you would be against it,' said Flora, in a choked voice, her face still averted.

'Heaven knows, I would not be against anything for your happiness, my dear,' he answered; but have you considered what it would be to spend your life with a man that has not three ideas; not a resource for occupying himself—a regular prey to ennui-one whom you could never respect!' He had grown more and more vehement-and Flora put her handkerchief to her eyes, for tears of actual disappointment were flowing.

'Come, come,' he said, touched, but turning it off by a smile we will not talk of it any more to-night.-It is your first offer, and you are flattered, but we know

"Colours seen by candle-light,

Will not bear the light of day."

There, good night, Flora, my dear-we will have a tête-à-tête în the study before breakfast, when you have had time to look into your own mind.'

He kissed her affectionately, and went up-stairs with her, stopping at her door to give her another embrace, and to say, 'Bless you, my dear child, and help you to come to a right decision-'

Flora was disappointed. She had been too highly pleased at her conquest to make any clear estimation of the prize, individually considered. Her vanity magnified her achievement, and she had come home in a flutter of pleasure, at having had such a position in society offered to her, and expecting that her whole family would share her triumph. Gratified by George Rivers's admiration, she regarded him with favour and complacency; and her habit of considering herself as the most sensible person in her sphere, made her so regard his appreciation of her, that she was blinded to his inferiority. It must be allowed, that he was less dull with her than with most others.

And, in the midst of her glory, when she expected her father to be delighted and grateful-to be received as a silly girl, ready to accept any proposal, her lover spoken of with scorn, and the advantages of the match utterly passed over, was almost beyond endurance. A physician, with eleven children dependent on his practice, to despise an offer from the heir of such a fortune! But that was his customary romance! She forgave him, when it occurred to her that she was too important, and valuable, to be easily spared; and a tenderness thrilled through her, as she looked at the sleeping Margaret's pale face, and thought of surrendering her and little Daisy to Ethel's keeping. And what would become of the

house-keeping? She decided, however, that feeling must not sway her-out of six sisters some must marry, for the good of the rest. Blanche and Daisy should come and stay with her, to be formed by the best society; and, as to poor dear Ethel, Mrs. Rivers would rule the Ladies' Committee for her with a high hand, and, perhaps, provide Cocksmoor with a school at her sole expense. What a useful, admirable woman she would be! The Doctor would be the person to come to his senses in the morning, when he remembered Abbotstoke, Mr. Rivers, and Meta.

So Flora met her father, the next morning, with all her ordinary composure, in which he could not rival her, after his sleepless, anxious night. His looks of affectionate solicitude disconcerted what she had intended to say, and she waited with downcast eyes, for him to begin.

'Well, Flora,' he said at last, 'have you thought?' 'Do you

down.

know any cause against it?' said Flora, still looking

'I know almost nothing of him. I have never heard anything of his character, or conduct. Those would be a subject of enquiry, if you wish to carry this on-’

'I see you are averse,' said Flora. 'I would do nothing against your wishes-'

'My wishes have nothing to do with it,' said Dr. May. The point is that I must do right, as far as I can, as well as try to secure your happiness; and I want to be sure that you know what you are about."

'I know he is not clever,' said Flora; but there may be many solid qualities without talent.'

I am the last person to deny it; but where are these solid qualities? I cannot see the recommendation!

'I place myself in your hands,' said Flora, in a submissive tone, which had the effect of making him lose patience.

Flora, Flora! why will you talk as if I were sacrificing you to some dislike or prejudice of my own! Don't you think I should only rejoice, to have such a prosperous home offered to you, if only the man were worthy?'

'If you do not think him so, of course, there is an enɑ of it,' said Flora, and her voice showed suppressed emotion.

'It is not what I think, in the absence of proof, but what you think, Flora. What I want you to do is this-to consider the matter fairly. Compare him with-I'll not say with Norman-but with Richard, Alan, Mr. Wilmot. Do you think you could rely on him-come to him for advice?' (Flora never did come to anyone for advice). Above all-do you think him likely to be a help, or a hindrance, in doing right?'

6

'I think you under-rate him,' said Flora, steadily; 'but, of