child, and the hope, at least, of meeting with Colonel Maxwell.

On arriving at Redlynch, she inquired only for the nurse; but the servant, as he led her to the nursery, volunteered to tell her that his master was out riding.

An old woman, who had been nursery-maid in the family during Colonel Maxwell's youth, and who was much attached to him and to all belonging to him, had come, at his request, to take charge of the little motherless child, and appeared to feel for it more than a mother's pride, and all a mother's affection. It had grown into a really pretty baby. In feature, it was like Colonel Maxwell; but something in the calm innocence of its face contrasted with its dark eyes, and something sweet and peculiar in its smile strongly reminded Evelyn of Clarice. She remarked upon the likeness, and inquired of the nurse whether it was observed by Colonel Maxwell.

"I don't know, ma'am-my master never mentions Mrs. Maxwell, and I never had the pleasure to see her myself-but all the servants in the house say the same as you do,

ma'am; and so I hope my master sees it too, as it might be a comfort to him."

"Is he very fond of the child?" inquired Evelyn.

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Yes, ma'am, he takes a great deal of notice of it now, poor little dear; and Master Louis is very fond of him, and smiles so pretty when he comes into the room, and my master seems quite pleased."

"Do you think Colonel Maxwell is better?" asked Evelyn, anxiously. "Has he recovered his spirits at all?”

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"Not much spirits, ma'am, I am afraid,” said the old woman, shaking her head; he seems cheerful sometimes, when he comes in here of a morning-but he looks very sad, maʼam-it is a great change since I remember him; such a fine, high-spirited young man. But he lives so lonely here-my mistress and Miss Edith came down twice, and Miss Edith was very unwilling to leave him, but he did not seem to wish them to stay. Sometimes he says that he must take Master Louis to Scotland, to see his grandpapa; but I don't know how it will be; I dare say we shall stay here a good bit yet."

"And what does he do?" said Evelyn, compassionately: "is there anything that interests him?"

"He does a deal of good, Mr. Watson, the bailiff, tells me-employs the poor, and is very kind to all about him-and all Mrs. Maxwell's plans for the people he looks after himself. She did a deal of good in her short life, they tell me, ma'am; they say she was little short of an angel, as she is now, no doubt; and it is no wonder, they say, that my master feels it so much; but it becomes us to submit, ma'am; and I fear my master gives way too much. When he is at home, he sits by the hour together in Mrs. Maxwell's room, and not a thing will he have touched; and it is my belief, ma'am, that this is more than any one can bear; and I wish it could be put a stop to. I did make so bold as to speak to him once, but he answered me never a word, and I can do no more....But your arms must be tired, ma'am-Master Louis is a fine weight now, isn't he?-he's not very willing to leave you; he takes to you vastly; will you come again to see him, ma'am?"

"Not for a long time, I am afraid," said Evelyn, rather sadly; "for I am going away from England. But I should be very glad to run away with him ;" and she kissed the child affectionately, as she hastened down stairs.

Miss Drake was getting into the carriage, and Evelyn was standing at the door, speaking to a servant, with whom she was leaving a message, when Colonel Maxwell came home from riding. He saw her, and immediately came towards her. She had not seen him since she had parted from him in Clarice's room, nearly a year before; and, since that time, there was certainly an improvement in his appearance. The expression of his countenance was much softened, and the despairing look, which had given her so much pain, was gone; but, in the subdued and listless air, and in the dark eyes where all the fire of life appeared to be extinguished, there was no mistaking the traces of a sorrow over which time had little power.

"Did you come to see my child?" he asked, as he met her, and led her back a few steps into the house.

"Yes; I was going away for some months, and I was very anxious to see him before I

"Where are you going to for such a long time? is it not rather unusual for you to leave Wilmington?"

"I am going to Italy." Then, as she saw the deeper shade of melancholy which overspread his countenance, she hurried on"Juliet Harcourt is not very well, and she is ordered away from England for the winter. Miss Drake and I are going on with Mr. Harcourt, and papa will follow us."

"I hope you will enjoy yourself," he said, with a kind but sad smile; "it will be very new and exciting to you." After a moment's pause, he continued, "and what do you think of my child?"

"I thought him very pretty-very pretty indeed. What a great pleasure he must be to you!"

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Yes, he is a pleasure," he replied; "a pleasure which I feel that I do not deserve." Evelyn looked wistfully in his face; she longed to ask some question about himself,