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thing—as was the case with my former marriage-entirely in my husband's control. I make that an absolute condition." "Madame, you are generosity itself!" replied he with sparkling eye. 'My father also will not be content without a proper settlement on my wife; to which the Duke will add, as he always does with his people. But what are these bagatelles between true hearts? Can I hope for favour to my bold request?"

"It is odd," said the lady laughing, "but my cousin, the clergyman of our parish, was joking yesterday about your attentions; and he said his services were at my disposal at a moment's notice. Certainly that was strange !"

"Quite apropos, indeed," replied the gentleman. "Do embrace his offer! Shall I bear the notice?"

"Nay, I will arrange it myself."

The young men took leave after a whispered word or two respecting the morning, and an expression of deep gratitude from the Tutor to the widow.

"Well done, Green! I think you have fastened the rivet this time. She is a splendid prize. Of course to-morrow sees her entirely yours. How about her property?" was Wren's remark when they were by themselves.

"As her husband," replied Green, "I shall be safe, for she promises to place the whole under my control, as it was in her former marriage."

"Lucky fellow!" said Stephen, with a slap on the back. "Few widows are as good as that. And what about your

settlements ?"

"I made the most of my father and the Duke, and of my future prospects."

"Well, old fellow, I must say you are good at a bargain. Were you born in Yorkshire?"

"It's precious lucky her cousin being clergyman of the parish, and ready to marry us," cried the bridegroom-elect. “Her cousin !—old Barfoot! Well, I never knew he had any relations. Fine girls, those nieces! If I were staying

here, they might be dangerous; but my mind is full of London."

The next morning was chill and dreary; a thick fog lay over the city, driven by an easterly breeze from the sea up the valley of the Wensum, without force enough to carry it past the spires and chimneys which obstructed its passage. The party met at the time appointed, but there was little disposition for mirth. Hurry and secrecy are bad handmaids for Hymen. The church was full of mist, and the clergyman was taciturn, like one too early aroused from sleep, and going about as in a dream. Nothing was said about the sepulchre of him whose rights over the living were receding into the far-off distance. The voices heard

in the service were hoarse and low, as if from fear of observation. Still, all was done and signed regularly, and the lady at least showed some emotion as she received the final salute and the necessary farewell.

"Be careful of yourself, sweetheart," she said. "You will not be long away. Let me know soon what the Duke appoints for you. I cannot remain long here in your absence."

"My dearest wife," replied her husband, "I shall have no peace till we meet; but you must stay here till I return. Just lend me your purse to remember you by, and take 'mine in return. Yours is the fullest, I know, but that will be all right." She seemed strangely reluctant about so small a matter, but the exchange was made, by which Green was some hundred pounds better equipped for his journey. They parted at the church door, and already they seemed to have caught some of the chilliness of the weather. That purse was all that Green ever realized of his wife's great fortune. It may as well be told at once that she was an adventurer as well as he. It was a fresh case of the biter bitten.

HE travellers fared not so well as some friends

hoped,

They were

nor so ill as others dreaded. Van Diense and George were on the alert but a short distance out of the city when they found that from the warning given at starting. they were watched. They journeyed for most of the day

without being molested. "They will wait till it grows dark, or attack us when we are resting at Thetford by night,” said the Fleming; "but I think we will balk them of their prey." Enquiring about the road, they found it lay over bare

moor, but that only

a little way further past Harling was

a small dense wood, with a quarry enclosed in it, where gipsies and thieves often lurked, and sallied forth upon

passengers. They

were advised to ride briskly through this

place of ill-repute. As they reached this evil place, Van Diense listened, and heard distinctly the galloping of horse

men behind them.

He led the way, single file, into the dark wood by the

narrow path, brushing through the close foliage. Carefully feeling their way, they soon came to open ground circled by lofty trees, and saw they were in a rocky camp, with a very small opening. The spot was happily unoccupied, and there was a shed or two serving for night shelter.

"Halt here till they pass," said the Fleming.

Now the tramp of the horses was very audible coming up;-nearer, nearer,-now close by. Just then two of their animals took to neighing aloud, and they made sure they were discovered. Every one drew his sword, and the Fleming and George were posted in the cleft which served for their Thermopylæ. But the troopers only pricked on the faster, not being surprised, or perhaps alarmed, at such sounds in that place. Away they hurry-further, further on the night breeze. They are gone!

Very quietly the Fleming then said, "Thank God!" and a general sigh of relief was heard. He continued: "We must take our quarters for the night here, and be glad we have so sheltered and safe an hotel,—perhaps safer than at Thetford. We are under God's open sky, and must watch for their return, and then perhaps try their mettle."

So they fed, groomed, and picketed their horses. In the broken shed they were glad to find vessels and fire-irons. They soon kindled a fire, and cooked a good meal; then all lay down on dry straw to rest.

The

Will Barnard was appointed to watch till he heard the horsemen returning. Notwithstanding their excitement and fatigue, most of the company were soon fast asleep. Fleming as leader felt too much responsibility on his shoulders to follow their example, and resolved to share Will Barnard's watch. The Alderman, full of fatherly concern for his boys, kept awake for some time, and conversed in whispers with Van Diense; but presently he too succumbed to the unusual exertion, and slept heavily.

The Fleming then, reclining on his arm, and having looked all round on the quiet trees, up to the small circle of sky

overhead,—at the recumbent horses, and the men and boys, gave himself to deep musing over his whole position. He thought of his fond and gentle sister-his dearest tie to earth; and also more shyly of a lovely friend of childhood, long severed from him by circumstances, whom he should possibly see again in London. He forgot not his native land, Holland, then recently freed from tyranny, and holding a commanding place in Europe. He thought anxiously of the position of his adopted country, England, and the madness of her Stuart rulers,-the unsuspiciousness of the English

people, and the stern civil war they must probably pass through. He lovingly remembered old Norwich, imperilled by her self-seeking Bishop; the evils surrounding the sleeping Alderman and his sons, for whom he foresaw heavy woes and awful reverses of fortune.

He muttered his favourite

German motto, "Wenn sorge schläft wecke sie nicht," and yet again that other, "Wenn Mann schläft Gott waket immer." He then turned his thoughts upon his own serious business and interviews on the morrow, which would mingle together statesmanship and trade, the world and religion, royalty and poverty, Jesuits and Puritans, romance and prose, reality and disguise, and perhaps even love and danger, in an intricate web the main pattern of which all lay clear before his trained intellect, and was committed to the benison of his celestial

Guide.

The young moon now peeped through the interlacing boughs, frogs croaked loudly, bats wheeled in soft and startling circles, slight puffs of the night breeze fanned his cheek, now and then the horses stirred or pawed. Will Barnard gave occasional symptoms of vitality by drumming

with his fingers

on the log which was his seat, or by turning

his head this way or that for observation.

"Ha! was that the cracking of a dry branch, or—or

"They

come!" cried Will. "Wake up all."

Yes, there was the sound of horses' hoofs, but in slow and

laboured trot.