post-chaise and the rest of the party followed. Gregory began to suspect who the stranger was; but he said nothing to Jemmy. They reached the house; the gentleman was assisted from the chaise by his servants, and a lady came to the door, who, though she was very calm, looked pale and distressed; they all went into the house, leaving Gregory and Jemmy outside. After a few minutes, the lady came again to the door, and requesting them to walk in, she conducted them to a room, where they found the gentleman lying on a sofa.

"Come in, my friends," he said, "and let me thank you in the best way I can for the kindness you have shown me, and the service you have done me. I wished to see you before the doctor goes to work, as no doubt I must then be kept a little quiet. Now, Mr. Gardener, we'll see if we can't turn this accident of mine to good account, in accordance with the principle you and I were talking of. Don't be frightened,

"My name is Russell!

lad," he added, looking at Jemmy; "I should not have been very severe with you even before my accident, especially when I had heard what your friend here had to say in your behalf. I am very glad to be able to put matters right: I know your master, and shall write to him upon the subject, and I hope he will consent to overlook your fault. I need not advise you to be careful in future, and to choose a better companion than the lad who persuaded you to go fishing where you had no permis sion. I dare say you have learned a lesson in obe dience, and therefore I shall say no more on that point. I am very much obliged to you for fetching the surgeon, and behaving so well; now go into the servant's hall, and have your dinner. I shall see

thank you very

you again one of these days: good morning." Jemmy bowed and left the room. "Now, Mr. Gregory, let me cordially for your attention to me. the favour to tell me how I may serve this lad? It appears to me he wants to be taken care of; he is

Will you do me

evidently well disposed, but perhaps yields too easily to temptation. Will you turn it over in your mind, and come here again and tell me what your opinion is: I am ready to pay all expenses; or if you cannot spare the time, write to me. You, see, I shall be held fast by the leg here for some time, or I would come down to you; but when I get my freedom again, I shall find you out. Will you go and take some refreshment? I have ordered the post-chaise to be ready to carry you and the lad back to the railway whenever you wish to go."

Mr Russell thanked Gregory once again, and Mrs. Russell left the room with him, and expressed to him, in a few gentle words, how much she was obliged to him, since she felt sure his attention had saved her husband's life; and she begged him to let her know what she could do for him or Jemmy's mother. Gregory's heart was quite full; and he af terwards told Mrs. Duncan he felt quite ashamed of himself; for he was quite dumb and stupid, and had no words to express how much he felt the kindness

shown to himself and Jemmy. He was afraid they must think him very ungrateful and ignorant, not to be able to say a word, but only to stammer out something which nobody could understand.

Gregory and Jemmy returned home quite happy, and the poor widow was now comforted. In two days Jemmy received a letter from his master desiring him to return, and promising that the past should not be remembered while he conducted himself as well as he had done formerly.

Gilbert heard the whole history from Gregory with great satisfaction.

CHAPTER X.

THE COMMCN-THE STORM-ITS EFFECTS-THE HONEYSUCKLESUNDAY AND THE SERMON.

ONE afternoon Gilbert went with Mrs. Duncan to a common about a mile distant from the village; she always went at this season to look at the gorse, which grew there in abundance. "I call it our 'Field of the Cloth of Gold,' said Mrs. Duncan as they stood amongst it, admiring its beauty; "only we have no kings and barons, nor tents and pavilions, nor banners and spears."

"But we have spears, though," said Gilbert, shaking his fingers, having in his admiration dashed his hand eagerly into the midst of the furze-blossoms to gather, a branch. "I thought if that donkey were not afraid to feed upon these bushes, I need not fear to touch them."