on the part of Madge. More advice from Mr. Tom that she
should go and plead with the Vice-Chancellor herself; he was sure her
pretty, weeping eyes would soften the flintiest heart. Correspondence
addressed by Captain Frank King to Admiral Sir George Stratherne,
K.C.B., containing suggestions not in consonance with the lofty
integrity of British courts of law.

Then, at last, the Vice-chancellor relented. Mr. Hanbury had given an
undertaking to execute any settlement the Court might think fit with
regard to the young lady's property. Then he must pay all costs of the
proceedings, likewise the guardians' costs. This being so, his
Lordship was disposed to take a merciful view of the case; and would
make an order discharging the young man from prison.

'Oh, Jack,' poor Madge exclaimed, when he was restored to her, 'shall I
ever forget what you have suffered for my sake?'

Jack looked rather foolish among all these people; but at last he
plucked up courage, and went and made a straightforward apology to Lady
Beresford; and said he hoped this piece of folly would soon be
forgotten; and that Madge would be happy after all. The sisters were
disposed to pet him. Tom tolerated him a little. Then there was a
general bustle; for they were all (including Frank King) going down
again to Brighton; and they made a large party.

How clear the air and the sunlight were after the close atmosphere of
London! The shining sea--the fresh breeze blowing in--the busy
brightness and cheerfulness of the King's Road--it all seemed new and
delightful again! And of course amidst the general clamour and
commotion of getting into the house, who was to take much notice of
Nan, or watch her self-conscious shyness, or regard the manner in which
she received Frank King after his absence? You see, Nan was always
wanted to do things, or fetch things, or send for things. 'She's a
house-keeperish kind of young party,' Tom used to say of her, when he
had coolly sent her to look out his shooting-boots.

The spring-time was come; not only was the sunshine clearer, and the
wind from the sea softer and fresher, but human nature, also, grew
conscious of vague anticipations and an indefinable delight, Flowers
from the sheltered valleys behind the downs began to appear in the
streets. The year was opening; soon the colours of the summer would
shining over the land.

'Nan-nie,' said Frank King to her who was most occasions now his only
and dear com