"Even so, old one syllable,

"Thou hast let the Farm to the son of thy brother Gabriel's handmaid, who likewise beareth thy four-lettered name.

"Oh, Obadiah Sims! Obadiah Sims! How couldst thou be guilty of thy integrity, yea of corruption! Verily, I will expose thy vanity and sinfulness before thy governess, and thy name shall be no more mighty among her servants.

"Deborah, thy spouse, shall join in thy sorrow; for the seedsman shall no longer garnish her chambers with rare shrubs, and sweet smelling flowers. The butler shall shake all the wine that thou orderest unto thy mistress, and the cook shall spoil the fish, the flesh, and the fowl, which cometh by thy commands.

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Thy flocks shall no longer feed without feu or fief on the green pastures of thy neighbour, nor shall the slayer of cattle furnish thy board unrewarded. Young cattle shall not be found in thy fields, nor horses in thy stables, without thy governess knowing how they came; nor shall

he any more be ignorant of thy corruption, through the gold and silver vanities which glittereth about thy house; and peradventure thou shalt not go leasing the grounds of thy betters. "Thou four-lettered, two-faced, fat, vat, malt and hop, old butt! Thou monosyllabled yea-nay, old sinner, why didst thou ever lend thy ear unto flattery? thy heart unto corruption, and thy hands unto iniquity?"

While Morland and Mr. Barnes smiled at the contents of this letter, which had been evidently indited from similar motives to those which it professed to condemn, Obadiah, whose ears had never been accustomed to other sounds than those of praise and adulation from Lady Lovel's tenants, shuffled about, turned the money over in his pocket, looked down and around, expressing all the symptoms of very questionable uneasiness, and then took his leave. After which, Morland set out on his journey to the metropolis.

CHAPTER XX.

But now I am returned, and that war thoughts
Have left their places vacant, in their rooms
Come thronging soft and delicate desires,
All prompting me how fair young Hero is!

SHAKSPEARE.

THE journey of our hero to London, though undertaken from the best motives, was not of the most pleasant description. Pride, principle, love, and honour, struggled in his bosom. Sometimes he thought of returning, but duty said no. Then he endeavoured to dispel such thoughts. as inconsistent with his situation, and likely to be prejudicial to the person he loved; again and again he determined to write to Lady Lovel, either to consummate his wishes, or put an end

to any hopes he might entertain respecting her daughter: this, however, he did not do; but, immediately on his arrival in town, set about procuring employment in his profession.

Europe was now at peace, though internal political conflicts raged in the Cabinets of her Kings. The Council of England, steadier than the rest, retained its place by the side of the Sovereign; but the men in office, after the civil situations at the different Continental courts had been filled up, finding their patronage decrease, necessarily abridged their favour in proportion to the reductions in the two professions of arms. It was at such a period that Dunstanville and his uncle were in one of the waiting-rooms at the Admiralty.

Their cards were sent up, and they had been some time noticing the meeting of friends, widows in attendance, listening to the office-bells and porters' tongues, and occasionally jostled by officers thinking a speech while practising traverse sailing, till tired of these scenes and dis

appointed countenances, they had commenced to seek amusement on the scribbled walls, with "Patience on a lee cathead smiling at a wet swab," "Interest against the field; ten to one against service," &c. when they were summoned to an interview with a man in office.

His demeanour was civil in the extreme; but a disciple of Lavater would have immediately pronounced him a most impenetrable personage, predetermined to rid himself of any request in the politest way possible.

Though he practised no absolute cheatery of language to deceive with false hopes, the uncle and nephew were dismissed as they entered, with a smile, not having gained a single point." Too young for this"-"too old for that”—“ no precedent for the other"-" no power"-" appointment filled up"-" against an established rule" -"patronage all rests with the Premier"-"cannot say"-" no

doubt"" services well

known"-"noted"—"very deserving”—“ peace"

-" perseverance"-"hope"-"time"-"yes"

-"no"-exit.