decided to advertise, no later than last night. So, if papa thanks you
for letting the cottage, Mr. Armadale, I thank you, too. But for you, we
should never have known darling Mrs. Blanchard; and but for darling Mrs.
Blanchard, I should have been sent to school."

Before Allan could reply, they turned the corner of the plantation,
and came in sight of the cottage. Description of it is needless; the
civilized universe knows it already. It was the typical cottage of the
drawing-master's early lessons in neat shading and the broad pencil
touch--with the trim thatch, the luxuriant creepers, the modest
lattice-windows, the rustic porch, and the wicker bird-cage, all
complete.

"Isn't it lovely?" said Miss Milroy. "Do come in!"

"May I?" asked Allan. "Won't the major think it too early?"

"Early or late, I am sure papa will be only too glad to see you."

She led the way briskly up the garden path, and opened the parlor door.
As Allan followed her into the little room, he saw, at the further end
of it, a gentleman sitting alone at an old-fashioned writing-table, with
his back turned to his visitor.

"Papa! a surprise for you!" said Miss Milroy, rousing him from his
occupation. "Mr. Armadale has come to Thorpe Ambrose; and I have brought
him here to see you."

The major started; rose, bewildered for the moment; recovered
himself immediately, and advanced to welcome his young landlord, with
hospitable, outstretched hand.

A man with a larger experience of the world and a finer observation
of humanity than Allan possessed would have seen the story of Major
Milroy's life written in Major Milroy's face. The home troubles that
had struck him were plainly betrayed in his stooping figure and his wan,
deeply wrinkled cheeks, when he first showed himself on rising from
his chair. The changeless influence of one monotonous pursuit and one
monotonous habit of thought was next expressed in the dull, dreamy
self-absorption of his manner and his look while his daughter was
speaking to him. The moment after, when he had roused himself to welcome
his guest, was the moment which made the self-revelation complete. Then
there flickered in the major's weary eyes a faint reflection of the
spirit of his happier youth. Then there passed over the major's dull
and dreamy manner a change which told unmistakably of social graces and
accomplishments, learned at some past time in no ignoble social school;
a man who had long since taken his patient