affectionate strain in which the rever-upon being guided by Mr Pounce, whom he instructed to retain Dr Flare immediately; and then talked over the whole case in all its bearings the result being, that Mr Pounce entirely corroborated the view taken by Sir Charles Wolstenholme, and pointed out so clearly and forcibly the peculiar advantages attending the contemplated mode of procedure, that Mr Runnington nearly made up his mind on the spot, to venture on the experiment; but at all events undertook to give his final decision within twentyfour hours' time. The next morning, however, he received information from Mr Pounce which was calculated to quicken his motions viz. that Mr Titmouse was moving, and had just "warned the caveat," with a view to discovering who his opponent was, and what was the ground of his opposition. Now, this chanced to occur on the very day of Lord De la Zouch's arrival in London; his servant calling at Mr Runnington's office with a note requesting his attendance in Dover Street, within a few hours of Mr Runnington's receiving intelligence of the movement of Mr Titmouse.

end delinquent was addressed, for having refused to baptise a child by the name of "JUDAS ISCARIOT"-that being the name required to be given by the clergyman, to the infant, by a blasphemous little Radical cobbler, a chattering infidel, who sought, by that means, to evince his insane hatred of the Christian religion. Now, Dr Flare was himself an ardent friend of the church, and a sincere Christian; but, by virtue of the quality to which I have before alluded, he had brought himself to look upon this poor halfstarved but exemplary clergyman, as guilty of a flagrant piece of wickedness; and was forging, con amore, the bolt to be presently levelled at so enormous an offender. But a few minutes before their arrival, moreover, an incident had occurred to the Doctor, which had roused him into a kind of frenzy: he had been interrupted by an applicant to be sworn to some matter or other, for which the Doctor was entitled to the usual fee of one shilling. The deponent had only half-a-crown; so the Doctor had to take out his purse, and give him the difference, with a muttered curse: and you may guess the scene which The result of a lengthened discusensued, on the deponent's presently sion between Mr Runnington and returning, and requesting that the Lord De la Zouch was, that his lordsixpence which the Doctor had given ship acquiesced in the expediency of him might be changed, being a bad the course suggested to him, namely, one! to suspend for a month or two carryMr Runnington was prepared to going into effect the scheme which he fully into his case before Doctor Flare; but on catching sight of him, he looked so startling a contrast to the calm and affable Sir Charles Wolstenholme -so like a hyena squatting in his den-that his heart suddenly failed him; and after observing, that, instead of interrupting the Doctor at that time, he would immediately lay a written case before him, he and Mr Pounce made their escape into the open air; the former looking so relieved of apprehension that Mr Pounce burst into a fit of laughter. But it occurred to Mr Runnington, that, in the present stage of the business, Mr Pounce was just as satisfactory an adviser as Dr Flare could be-and he determined

had formed for extricating Mr Aubrey from all his liabilities; since the contemplated proceedings in the ecclesiastical court, might possibly render unnecessary the large pecuniary sacrifice contemplated by his lordship, by disentitling Mr Titmouse to receive any part of the demand which he was at present enforcing against Mr Aubrey. His lordship then gave a carte blanche to Mr Runnington; and authorised him forthwith to commence, and vigorously prosecute every measure which might be necessary; to spare no expense or exertion-to give and take no quarter; for Lord De la Zouch

i. e. The proctors' setting forth of their client's name and interest..

expressed the warmest indignation | the interrogatories, would proceed to at the whole conduct of Mr Gammon examine the witnesses; but in a man-particularly his presumptuous ad- ner totally different from any adopted vances towards Miss Aubrey, and the by the courts of law-viz. one by one, audacious measure to which he had alone, secretly, and in the most searchresorted, for the purpose of securing ing and thorough manner; and having her favour. His lordship also felt, in given his or her evidence, the witcommon with Sir Charles Wolsten-ness would be formally threatened holme and Mr Runnington, that Mr Gammon's avowal to Miss Aubrey of his absolute control over the enjoyment of the Yatton property, warranted the suspicion that the decisive steps about to be taken would lead to the most important results. Thus fortified, Mr Runnington immediately gave instructions to Mr Pounce to proceed: and that person at once entered formally into battle with his brother proctor, Mr QUOD, who was acting for Mr Tit- | mouse. Supposing it to be a simple straightforward affair on the part of Mr Titmouse, Mr Quod did not give himself any particular concern about the step taken by Mr Pounce, and with which he did not acquaint Mr Gammon, till that gentleman called to inquire in what state the proceedings were. When he discovered the ground taken by Mr Aubrey, and that it would compel Mr Titmouse to prove, over again, every link in the chain which connected him with the elder "Oh yes, both parties, of course— branch of the Aubrey family, he was Pounce and I shall be both at work down not a little agitated, though he made a there, rummaging registries, records, great effort to conceal it, while listen-churchyards-brushing up every man, ing to Mr Quod's account of the pro- | cess about to be commenced.

Each party, it seemed, would have to give in to the court, an allegation," or statement of the pedigree he intended to establish, and which would be lodged at the registry. Each would then, in due course, obtain a copy of his opponent's allegation, in order to guide him in framing his own proof, and interrogatories. A COMMISSION Would then be sent, by the court, into the county where the witnesses resided, to examine themthe examiner being an officer of the court, a proctor-and, while thus engaged, representing the court. This officer, having been furnished by the parties with a copy of the two allega tions, the names of the witnesses, and

with the terrors of the ecclesiastical
court, if he or she should presume to
disclose to any person, much less the
parties, the evidence which had been
thus given to the examiner. When
the whole of the evidence had been in
this mysterious way collected by the
stern inquisitor, it would be lodged in
the proper office of the court; and till
the arrival of the proper time for per-
mitting both parties to take copies of
it-they would be in total ignorance
as to the exact nature of the evidence
which had been given by even their
own witnesses. Mr Quod added, that
the briefs which had been used at the
trial of the action of ejectment, would
of themselves furnish almost the en-
tire " allegations," and greatly facili-
tate and accelerate the proceedings.
"Then, do the parties, or their proc-
tors," inquired Gammon,
go down
beforehand to the spot where the com-
mission is to be held ?”

-

woman, and child, that's got a word
to say on the subject- -warm work,
warm work, Mr Gammon! We sha'n't
leave a stone unturned on either side!
Lord, I recollect a case, for instance,
where a marriage passed muster in
all your common-law courts, one after
the other; but as soon as it got into
our hands aha!-
- we found out
that it was no marriage at all! and
some thirty or forty thousand a-year
changed owners! What d'ye think
of that?" said Mr Quod, rubbing his
hands, with a pleased and confident
air, strangely contrasting with the re-
served and disconcerted manner of his
companion; who, in fact, had been
suddenly thrown into a cold per-
spiration by what he had last heard.
"Pounce," continued Quod, "is a

CHAPTER V.

LORD DE LA ZOUCH WITH THE AUBREYS, AND MR GAMMON WITH THE EARL OF DREDDLINGTON, WHOSE INTELLECT MELTS AWAY BEFORE HIM.

the consultation which he had had with Sir Charles Wolstenholme; to all of which Mr Aubrey listened with intense interest, and thoroughly ap preciated the value of that eminent person's admirable_suggestion. But Lord De la Zouch had, with delicate consideration, peremptorily enjoined Mr Runnington not to acquaint Mr Aubrey with the circumstance, either of his lordship's having come from France solely on his affairs, or of the project which had brought him overnamely, that of summarily releasing Mr Aubrey from all his embarrassments. As soon as Mr Runnington had informed Mr Aubrey that he would find his lordship then at Dover Street, and in readiness to receive him, that closed their interview; and Mr Aubrey, in a state of extraordinary exhilaration of spirits, instantly set off to see his munificent benefactor, and pour out before him the homage of an oppressed and grateful heart.

NEITHER Lord De la Zouch nor Mr | perceived Mr Aubrey labouring, kindRunnington saw any necessity for he-ly turned the conversation towards the sitating to apprise Mr Aubrey of the practical details, and apprised him of steps the former meditated taking on his behalf, as soon as his lordship had arrived at a decision: when, indeed, Mr Aubrey's sanction became necessary, in order to institute proceedings. During the course, therefore, of the day after that on which their determination had been taken, at Lord De la Zouch's desire, Mr Runnington undertook to make the important communication to Mr Aubrey. For a while he seemed to stagger under the weight of such a communication, and it was some time before he recovered calm. ness sufficient to appreciate the nature and consequences of the meditated step-viz. a direct, immediate, and potent effort to repossess him of the estates from which he had been some two years before displaced. But all other considerations were speedily absorbed in one which profoundly affected him-the princely conduct of his friend Lord De la Zouch. Mr Aubrey said scarce anything upon this topic for some time; but Mr Runnington per- After a long interview, the characceived how powerfully his feelings ter of which the reader may easily were excited. And will it occasion imagine, Lord De la Zouch insisted surprise when I say, that this feeling on setting out for Vivian Street-for of gratitude towards the Creature- he declared he could not let another towards the noble Instrument-was hour pass without seeing those in presently itself merged in another, whose welfare he felt so tender an inthat of gratitude towards God, whose terest: so arm-in-arm they walked mysterious and beneficent purpose con- thither; and it would have made any cerning him, he contemplated with a one's heart thrill with satisfaction, to holy awe? see the brightened countenance of poor Aubrey, as he walked along, full of joyful excitement, which was visible even in the elasticity and vigour

Mr Runnington was himself greatly moved; but desirous of relieving the increasing excitement under which he

of his step. It seemed as though | features. Lord De la Zouch's heart a millstone had been taken from his melted within him, as he looked at neck; for though he was, indeed, of a them, and reflected on the sufferings somewhat sanguine temperament, yet through which they had passed, and felt had he not, in what had happened, a delighted consciousness of the pleasolid ground for the strongest and sure which his appearance occasioned brightest hopes? Whether he was that virtuous but long oppressed and right, or whether he was wrong, he harassed family, and in the scene of entertained a confidence that it was their graceful and honourable poverty. God's good providence to which he Devout and earnest were his wish and was indebted for what had happened his hope, that Providence would be -and that He would bring it to a suc- pleased to crown with success his incessful issue. They agreed together, terference in their behalf. He would as they neared Vivian Street, to be not be denied on one matter, upon guided by circumstances, in communi- which he declared that he had made cating or withholding information of up his mind-that they should all rethe glorious interference in their turn with him to dinner in Dover favour, which was at that moment in Street;-and, to be sure, the sight of active operation. Mr Aubrey's knock, his carriage, which he had ordered to so vastly sharper and more energetic follow him within an hour's time, gave than was his wont, brought two fair them to understand that he really was creatures to the window in a trice, in earnest and so they both hastened their faces pale with apprehension; up to dress, oh, with what bounding but who shall tell the delicious agita- hearts, and elastic steps!-Lord De tion they experienced on seeing Lord la Zouch felt, as they all sat together De la Zouch, and Mr Aubrey? 'Twas in his carriage, as though he were a in truth an affecting interview! Here fond father restored to the presence of was their princely deliverer-the very long afflicted children; and his coursoul of delicacy and generosity-for tesy was touched with an exquisite as such, indeed, they regarded him in tenderness. When they entered the respect of what he had already done, spacious and lofty drawing-rooms, though as yet ignorant of his meditat- which, though then wearing the deed noble act of munificence! serted appearance incident to the His lordship's quick and affectionate season, reminded them of many foreye detected, with much pain, on first mer hours of splendid enjoyment, seeing them, the ravages of that cank- they felt a flutter of spirits, which it ering anxiety which had been so long required no little effort to overcome. their lot. How much thinner were all The drawing and dining-rooms struck of them, and was more especially Mr them as quite prodigious, from their Aubrey, than when he had last seen contrast to the little apartments to them! And the mourning which they which they had been latterly accuswore for Lady Stratton, made the deli- tomed in Vivian Street; and several cate figures of Mrs Aubrey and Kate, other little circumstances revived reappear slighter than even they really collections and associations of a painwere. Their countenances, also, bore fully interesting nature: but as their the traces of sorrow and suffering-spirits grew more exhilarated, they but the expression was, if possible, lovelier than ever. The fire and spirit of Kate's blue eyes was subdued into an exquisite expression of serenity and pensiveness; but on the present occasion her bosom was agitated by so many conflicting feelings -her very sense of embarrassment being a delicious one-as gave a surprising vivacity of expression to her

felt a sense of real enjoyment to which all of them had long been strangers. One or two sly allusions made by his lordship to the probable future occupants of the house, and the more modern air they might choose, perhaps, to give it, suddenly brought as bright a bloom into Kate's cheek, as ever had mantled there! When they had returned home, it was impossible to