Marten was to go to the continent when he had taken his degree; but he assured Henry that he would see him first. Nevertheless, the parting at midnight, when Henry got into the coach, was altogether so sad, that the young man was glad that he had no companion within, and that he could give way to his grief without witness. The fine figure of Marten, as the lamp fell full upon him where he stood by the coach, seemed to follow Henry in fancy through many a long dark mile of that wintry night; nor did he entirely forget the grateful and affectionate yet sorrowful last look of poor Griffith.

God doth not willingly afflict the children of men; wherefore, then, doth grief on grief fall ever in the path of youth? This is a question which the worldly man cannot answer; but the believer is assured that all things which God ordains are ordered and disposed for the good of those for whom Christ died. But in measure as the night advanced, and the morning broke, near about the time that the Vale of Worcester opened from the heights of Broadway, with the range of Malvern in the remotest distance, over which the morning was already spread, Henry began to think less of the friends he had left, in the overwhelming apprehension of the scenes which awaited him where he was going. "Oh! beautiful Worcestershire," he said, apostrophising the lovely morning scene; "perhaps I now behold thee as my home for the last time."

He

Every mile now appeared to Henry as a league, till he was set down in Worcester. there, without waiting for refreshment, took a

carriage on to Mr. Dalben's, being assured, that if anything decisive had happened, it was not yet known in the town. And here, though somewhat abruptly, we close the chapter, as we now must proceed to matters of very peculiar importance in the history of Henry.

CHAPTER XX.

Solemn Passages.

As soon as Henry arrived at the gate of Mr. Dalben's grounds, he sprang from the carriage and hastened into the kitchen, hardly daring to ask a question. Mrs. Kitty was the first person he met, and she informed him that her master was so far better that he had quite recovered his recollection, and had asked for him several times during the night. She also told him that Lord H- was in the house, and that he was then at breakfast, having sate up till a very late hour in her master's room, and taken some rest afterwards.

Henry accordingly hastened to the hall, and there was cordially received by Lord Hand Mr. Nash, whom circumstances had by this time made familiar with each other; Lord H― having had sufficient discernment to appreciate the character of the worthy old gentle

man.

"We are most glad to see you, Henry," said

Lord H66 -; your uncle has expressed so much anxiety for your coming, and every day is so precious now-even every hour-that you must breakfast, and be ready to go to him at the first summons; but you must endeavour to be calm in his presence, he must not be excited. You will be prepared to see a great change in him-death has already set his signet on his features."

“Then there is no hope?" said Henry. "None whatever," replied Lord H- ; "it is a gradual wearing out of the frame: and when a friend must soon leave us, why should we wish him to continue to linger on the weary threshold of mortality? Come, my boy," added Lord H--9 "take some refreshment, for you look very pale; and then for courage to meet the brunt. I go to my friend above to tell him that you are come."

It was more than an hour before Henry was called into the presence of his dying uncle; and though prepared, he was shocked at the change discernible even in the darkened chamber. He kissed the faded hand which Mr. Dalben held out to him, but dared not to utter a word, lest his voice should betray his emotion.

"My boy-my Henry-my more than son," said Mr. Dalben, in a voice which, from its hollow sound, went to the heart of Henry, "can

I

say how glad I am to see you? and let me use this moment, I may not have another, to say that which I wish to say. Henry Milner, give me your hand; Lord H——, give me yours, and tell me again, and in his presence,

will you take my place as guardian of my Henry until he is of age?"

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"I have said that I will, Mr. Dalben," replied Lord H--; "and I now repeat my promise."

"And now, Henry," said Mr. Dalben, “what is your part in this covenant ?"

"It is my part," said Henry, "to love and honour Lord H- as I have loved and honoured but he could say no more, and being entirely overcome he left the room. When he returned, half-an-hour afterwards, Lord H-saw that he had been weeping like a babe: he, however, was now much better prepared than before to listen with composure; and the dying man went on speaking after he came in, as if he had not been aware of an interruption: then he said, "That will be off my mind:-you have some distant relations, Henry; but they are people of the world-do not seek them out at present!-As to earthly matterspecuniary matters-Lord Hwill manage them-he has my will--he knows my mind-he knows also your father's affairs, Henry. He was the son of a younger son-he was not rich, but what he left will, with the interest which has accumulated, amount to more than two hundred a year: the property is in Lord H's hands-with your habits you will be rich-this my Worcestershire estate will also be yours: I shall leave it subject to certain annuities, which you will have pleasure in paying. There is a farm attached to it, which you know is let: the whole is valued at as much as your father left. Part of my income proceeds

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