shall go," he added, in the calm, determined manner that was peculiar to him.

"You might, at least, wait till Sir Charles comes down here," said Henry, earnestly. Indeed, Claude, you should not hurry in an affair of this nature."

66

"I said I would do it when I was of ageand I am of age to-day. This is my birthday, Harry," he said, with a faint, sad smile; "and I will delay no longer. I have begged Sir Charles to come down immediately. If I am wilful, you must leave me to have my own way."

“And what do you mean to do? Have you made any plans for your future life?" inquired Henry, after a pause. "I have thought of one for you."

"Yes, I have made up my mind to the law." "The law, have you?" said Henry, in a tone of disappointment; "it is such sad drudgery, and success is so doubtful! I am sorry for this, Claude-I had hoped you would think of the Church."

His cousin was silent.

"The life would be so far pleasanter, and,

with your interest, it seems foolish to reject it. The living of Beaumanoir is in Sir Charles's gift; and the incumbent is nearly ninety; it is worth £1,200 or £1,300 a year; and Sir Charles is very anxious that you should have it."

Claude still was silent, but shook his head decidedly.

"I am sure, Claude," continued Henry, "I could not advise you to think of it only from motives of interest; but I know you well enough to be certain, that, if once it became your duty, you would be one of the best and most devoted clergymen in England."

"Had I no duty at college, Harry?" said the young man, while a frown of pain contracted his forehead; "and was it sufficient to control me?"

"But now, Claude, now it would..."

"Do not urge me, Harry-my mind is unalterably made up. My mother," he continued, in a softer manner, "approved my resolution, and it is enough." As he spoke, he put down the last of the few books he had selected, and, moving away, he stood for a

few minutes in the oriel window, where, three years before, he had bade his first farewell to his mother.

"If there is anything in the house that Aunt Louisa would like," he said, turning round again, "she had better choose it, and remove it quickly. I fancy that Sir Charles has already found a purchaser for Bolton Manor ;-it will not be a place hard to dispose of;" and his eyes fell, with a look of pride and affection, on the beautiful oak room in which they stood then glanced on the lovely prospect seen from the windows with

out.

"I will tell her what you say," replied Henry." She goes to-morrow, and I shall go with her. I fancy that you would rather be alone, Claude, so I do not offer to stay."

The young man sighed, and was silent; but, as Henry was leaving the room, he followed him. "I am afraid you think me obstinate and ungracious, Harry, but it is not so indeed. I am so sure that I am right Yes," he continued, "it is better that you should go. I can hardly trust myself to listen

to your words.

words. I shall be more myself when I have not your kind faces to pity and to weaken me;" and he turned from him, and

again, with folded arms, stood in the oriel window.

CHAPTER IV.

He hath a stormy nature; and what germs

Of virtue would have budded in his breast,

Cold winds have checked and blighting seasons nipt,
Yet in his heart they live.

SOUTHEY.

We must pass over some years before the re-commencement of the story.

"Am I to have any tea to-night, or am I not?" said Sir Richard Woodvile, fretfully. "What do you sit there working for, Sara? Make the tea, or send it away, I beg."

"It's Margaret's week," replied Sara, without raising her head from her work.

"And what has Margaret's week to do with it? If she chooses to be away, am I to go without tea, when I am as dry as-as-as...... no matter what. Make the tea directly, or don't tantalize me with the sight of it."