Australia, having been disappointed of an inheritance which was to have come to him. I do not know much of him, but I like what I have seen, and I was anxious to please a mutual friend of his and mine by offering him a berth in the Seagull. I think you will approve of my set of officers; and I can assure you it is a great gain to us to have ladies on board for a time; it will cheer us greatly on leaving England.' What a difference it will make to us all, both in comfort and pleasure;" and as Mrs. Eversley looked round the breakfast-table, it was to receive answering smiles from each one.

“Well, my love," said Mr. Eversley, "tell the Captain from me that he never wrote a letter which gave greater relief or more pleasure to four individuals; why, it will be like being at home to be with him. Give him my most grateful thanks, and say we will be ready any day he names."

"And tell dear Uncle Henry from us," said Alice and Evelyn in one breath, "that we can never thank him enough. How happy we shall be with him!"

And the family went forth to their work that day with lightened and thankful hearts.

While Mrs. Eversley sat down to write to her

brother, the girls made a joyful bonfire of all the correspondence about steamers and sailing vessels.

"Now we must go up to the Castle, and tell them all how we are going."

Captain Maynard had always been a great favourite with his nieces, and during the short intervals between his voyages he generally made Durnford Rectory his home, and was more like an elder brother to them than an uncle. Against the wishes of his parents, he had chosen the Navy as his profession; but finding how strongly he was bent upon it, they had finally given a reluctant consent. They were fully rewarded by living to see him a rising and distinguished officer, who was always selected to be on stations requiring the rare combinations of prudence and courage, and his present voyage was to explore hitherto unknown channels and islands in the Indian Archipelago.

CHAPTER III.

LEAVING HOME.

FROM this time the voyage was the constant subject of conversation, and many were the letters which passed between the uncle and his nieces as to the details of their cabins.

It was the end of October, and the first week in December the Seagull was expected to sail. How much had to be arranged in those few weeks! Nothing could exceed the considerate kindness of the Castle family. Lord Essington's diligent inquiries had resulted in his hearing of a newly-married clergyman who would gladly take Mr. Eversley's duty during his absence.

"Now, my dear Eversley," said Lord Essington one morning, when he walked down to the Rectory after breakfast, as was now usually the case, "here is Mr.

Neale's final acceptance, so you have nothing further to trouble yourself about. As to what he is to receive, I settle that with him. Though you do go out like a prince in a man-of-war, I have no doubt there will be a heavy drain upon your purse in Madeira, and so I shall take the charge of the parish upon myself. No, don't try your strength in thanking me; I will take it all for granted. It will be such a relief to my mind to feel that you are not straitened."

Lady Essington on her side begged to have all the parochial work put into her hands. "Leave them to me, and then I can share them with Mrs. Neale and give her what I find will suit her best. I will even undertake to wind up the Saving Club accounts, and pay out the money-only do not be very severe with me if you find a few mistakes when you come back."

In this friendly spirit each duty was undertaken, and Mrs. Eversley could truly feel that she would leave no anxieties behind her.

Not a day passed without more or less intercourse between the Castle and Rectory. Lord Rochdale and his brother hurried back from a tour of visits in Scotland, in order to spend the last weeks, before the Eversleys' departure, at home. The brothers were

devoted to each other, though most opposite in character. The elder one was a joyous, light-hearted youth, who, though he had taken no honours in his college career, had never been mixed up in any of the idle frolics which have disgraced so many of our noblemen of late years.

“I am no reader," he used to say, "but I am not going to blacken my name by all these follies; and besides," he would add, laughing, "I must set a good example to my younger brother."

Ernest, on the contrary, was both studious and clever. He had been brought up with the knowledge, that when old enough he was to take orders, and to be appointed to the first good living in his father's gift which should fall vacant. He had taken a firstclass degree, and was now enjoying a long holiday with his elder brother before he entered his professional life; no one enjoying field sports more than he did.

But the brothers were of one mind as to returning home in time to see their friends before their winter exile, and late in November they arrived at the Castle. Gloomy was the evening they returned; gloomy was the impression they received on arriving.