ld
have to land down by the shingle bar.

She pointed out where the boat must come in; and thither the Earl
directed his steps, feeling as if he were going to place himself under
a nutmeg-grater, as he thought how James Frost would receive the
implied distrust of his guardianship.

The sunset gleam was fading on the sleepy waves that made but a feint
of breaking, along the shining expanse of moist uncovered sand, when
two figures were seen progressing from the projecting rocks, casting
long shadows before them. Lord Ormersfield began to prepare a
mollifying address--but, behold! Was it the effect of light so much to
lengthen Jem's form? nay, was it making him walk with a stick? A
sudden, unlooked-for hope seized the Earl. The next minute he had been
recognised; and in the grasping hands and meeting eyes, all was
forgotten, save the true, fond affection of father and son.

'I did not expect this pleasure. They told me you were dining out.'

'Only rowing Jem to the landing-place. I told him to make my excuses.
It is a dinner to half the neighbourhood, and my foot is always
troublesome if I do not lay it up in the evening.'

'I am glad you are prudent,' said his father, dismissing his fears in
his gratification, and proceeding to lay his coming to the score of his
foot.

Fitzjocelyn did not wish to see through the plea--he was much too happy
in his father's unusual warmth and tenderness, and in the delights of
hospitality. Mrs. Hannaford was gone out, and eatables were scarce;
but a tea-dinner was prepared merrily between Priscilla, the Captain,
and Louis, who gloried in displaying his school-fagging accomplishments
with toast, eggs, and rashers--hobbled between parlour and kitchen,
helping Priscilla, joking with the Captain, and waiting on his father
so eagerly and joyously as to awaken a sense of adventure and enjoyment
in the Earl himself. No meal, with Frampton behind his chair, had ever
equalled Fitzjocelyn's cookery or attendance; and Louis's reminiscences
of the penalties he had suffered from his seniors for burnt toast,
awoke like recollections of schoolboy days, hitherto in utter oblivion,
and instead of the intended delicate conversation, father and son found
themselves laughing over a 'tirocinium or review of schools.'

Still, the subject must be entered on; and when Lord Ormersfield had
mentioned the engagement to go to Oakstead, he added, 'All is well,
since I have found you here. Let me tell