Sir Brook Fossbrooke, Volume I.

which marked Lough Derg, disappear, and give way to gently sloping lawns, dotted over with well-grown timber, well-ke

bay, stands a small but pretty house, with a skirt of rich wood projecting

to something Elizabethan in character, a style admirably adapted to the site, where all the features of rich-colored landscape aboun

air, which in less favored spots needed the protection of the conservatory; and thus in the neatly shaven lawn were seen groups of blossoming shrubs or flowers of rar

its crimson flowers hanging in rich profusion over cornice and architrave; while a passion-tree of great age

ation of wonder and admiration at this lovely spot; nor could all the pretentious grandeur of the rich-wooded parks

the little bay, had given the name to the place, and for more than a hundred years was it known as the Swan's Nest. The Swan, however, no lo

story opens,-a widower with two children, a son and a daughter. He was a perfect stranger to all the neighbor

by marrying a portionless girl of humble family, the Baron had ceased to recognize him in any way. Making a settlement of a few hundreds

rained to yield to the insistence of his neighbors, and consent to practise generally. There were many things which made this course unpalatable to him. He was by nature shy, timid, and retiring; he was fastidiously averse to a new acquaintanceship; he had desire

calls upon him, he resisted totally all soci

h their requests,-and, certainly, whose desire for his society would have left nothing undone to secure it; but he was as obdurate to them as to others, and the Earl of Drum-carran and Sir Reginald Lacy, of Lacy Manor, were not a whit more successful in their blandishmen

s declared that he had rallied and passed a favorable night; but as he was a man of very advanced age, at no time strong, and ever unsparing of himself in the arduous labors of his office, grave doubts were felt that he would ever again resume his seat on the Ben

ever overlaid conversation by their mention, but made them merely serve to illustrate the present, either by contrast or resemblance. All this to the world and society was he; to the inmates of his house he was a perfect terror! It was said his first wife had died of a broken heart; his second, with a spirit fie

eing here, and sufficiently near, so that if a happier disposition should occur, or an opportunity arise to bring you once more together, the fortunate moment should not be lost. Come up, th

, and that struck root in the heart before it could know what unkindness was! Over and over again in life have I witnessed this deep devotion. Over and over again have I seen a clinging af

tted to see his father,-to nurse and watch by him. There was no thought for himself. By reconciliation he never meant restoration to his place as heir. Forgiveness and love h

e circumstance. He had taken up with him two miniatures of his boy and girl

e were: "Better. A tolerably tranquil night. He can move his ha

ind? how i

what is said about his illness, and insatiabl

poken of-his family at a

inished courtesy, asking her if, without incurring inconvenience, she would favor him with

him better?" asked

wounds him. It was but yesterday that he read a sort of querulous regret from some writer that 'the learned Judge had not retired some years ago, and before failing health, acting on

from him? Surely your authori

I said this yesterday, he replied, 'I will sit on Wednesday, sir, to hear appeals; there will be little occasion for me to speak, and I trust another day or two will see the last of this difficulty of utterance. Pemberton, I know, is looking to the Attorney-Generalship, and George Hayes thinks he may order his ermine. Tell them, h

nk, and his eyes downcast. "Never to speak of me,-never a

baffle you, Beattie, you must not omit to give timely warning. There are two or three things t

ted a note to the doctor, who read it hasti

rable turn, partly brought on by excitement. Lose no

NTIA LE

t go out of the world without a scene. As he said last night, 'I mean her to hear my "charge." She must

e again. Take these with you; who knows but their bright faces may plead better than words for us?" and thus sa