his service, in
which I have been so well treated, and say how much I feel the
kindly interest that his majesty has been pleased to take in me. If
there had been any chance of the war coming to an end shortly, I
should have remained to see it out; but, now that the Polish
business may be considered finished, it will be continued with
Russia, and may go on for years, for the czar is just as obstinate
and determined as Charles himself."

Accordingly, the next morning, Charlie sent in the formal
resignation of his commission to the war minister at Stockholm, and
Harry left by ship for Revel. Sir Marmaduke placed his business
affairs in the hands of a Scotch merchant at Gottenburg, with
instructions to call in the money he had lent on mortgage, and, two
days later, took passage with Charlie for Hull, whence they posted
across the country to Lancaster, and then drove to Lynnwood.

As soon as the news spread that Sir Marmaduke had returned, the
church bells rang a joyous peal, bonfires were lighted, the tenants
flocked in to greet him, and the gentry for miles round rode over
to welcome and congratulate him.

The next morning he and Charlie rode over to Rockley.

"Oh, Marmaduke," cried Celia, "I am happy indeed to know that you
are back again. I have never known a day's happiness since you
went."

"Well, don't let us think any more about it, Celia," Sir Marmaduke
said, as he kissed her tenderly. "Let us look on it all as an ugly
dream. It has not been without its advantages, as far as we are
concerned. It has taken me out of myself, and broadened my view of
things. I have not had at all an unpleasant time of it in Sweden,
and shall enjoy my home all the more, now that I have been away
from it for a while. As to Charlie, it has made a man of him. He
has gained a great deal of credit, and had opportunities of showing
that he is made of good stuff; and now he enters upon life with
every advantage, and has a start, indeed, such as very few young
fellows can have. He enters our army as a captain, under the eye of
Marlborough himself, with a reputation gained under that of the
greatest soldier in Europe.

"So we have no reason to regret the past, cousin, and on that score
you have no cause for grief. As to the future, I trust that it will
be bright for both of us, and I think," he added meaningly, "our
former plans for our children are likely to be some day realized."

Four years later, indeed, the union that both parents