eferred to was George Aspel. Sir James had at last
discovered and had an interview with him. He had offered to aid him in
any way that lay in his power, but Aspel had firmly though gratefully
declined aid in any form.

Sir James liked the youth, and had begged him, by letter, to call on
him, for the purpose of chatting over a particular piece of business,
had appointed an hour, and now awaited his arrival.

The muttered remark had just passed Sir James's lips when there came a
tap at the door, and Aspel stood before him.

But how changed from what he was when we last saw him, reader! His
aspect might have forcibly recalled the words, "was lost and is found."

His tall, broad frame stood erect again as of old, but the proud bearing
of the head was gone. There was the same fearless look in his bright
blue eye, but the slightly self-satisfied curl of the lip was not there.
He looked as strong and well as when, on the Irish cliffs, he had
longed for the free, wild life of the sea-kings, but he did not look so
youthful; yet the touch of sadness that now rested at times on his
countenance gave him a far more regal air,--though he knew it not,--than
he ever possessed before. He was dressed in a simple suit of dark grey.

"Glad to see you, Aspel; thought you were going to fail me. Sit down.
Now, come, I hope you have considered my proposal favourably.--The piece
of business I asked you to come about is nothing more than to offer you
again that situation, and to press it on you. It would just suit a man
of your powers.--What! No?"

The Baronet frowned, for George Aspel had smiled slightly and shaken his
head as he sat down.

"Forgive me, Sir James, if I seem to regard your kind proposals with
indifference. Indeed, I am sincerely grateful, especially for the
motive that actuates you--I mean regard for my dear father's memory--"

"How do you know, sir," interrupted Sir James testily, "that this is my
only motive?"

"I did not say it was your only motive, Sir James. I cannot doubt, from
your many expressions of kindness, that personal regard for myself
influences you; but I may not accept the situation you offer me--bright
with future prospects though it be--because I feel strongly that God has
called me to another sphere of action. I have now been for a
considerable time, and hope to be as long as I live, a missionary to the
poor."

"What! A city missionary? One of those fellows who go about in seedy
black