uning her brother
by even a question. She promises to write soon again, however, and tell
me all about their plans. They are travelling without a servant, and,
so far as she knows, with very little money. Poor Nelly! she bears up
nobly, but the terrible reverse of condition, and the privations she is
hourly confronted with, are clearly preying upon her."

"What a change! Just to think of them a few months back! It was a
princely household."

"Just what Nelly says. 'It is complete overthrow; and if I am not
stunned by the reverse, it is because all my sympathies are engaged
for poor Gusty, who is doing his best to bear up well. As for myself, I
never knew how helpless I was till I tried to pack my trunk. I suppose
time will soften down many things that are now somewhat hard to bear;
but for the moment I am impatient and irritable; and it is only the
sight of my dear brother--so calm, so manly, and so dignified in his
sorrow--that obliges me to forget my selfish grief and compose myself as
I ought.'"

As they thus talked, they arrived at the door of the inn, where the
landlord met them, with the request that the two gentlemen who had
arrived by extra-post, and who could not find horses to proceed on their
journey, might be permitted to share the one sitting-room the house
contained, and which was at present occupied by the L'Estranges.

"Let us sup in your room, George," whispered Julia, and passed on into
the house. L'Estrange gave orders to send the supper to his room, and
told the landlord that the salon was at his guests' disposal.

About two hours later, as the curate and his sister sat at the open
window, silently enjoying the delicious softness of a starry night, they
were startled by the loud talking of persons so near as to seem almost
in the room with them.

"English--I'll be sworn they are!" said one. "That instinctive dread
of a stranger pertains only to our people. How could it have interfered
with their comfort, that we sat and ate our meal in this corner?"

"The landlord says they are young, and the woman pretty. That may
explain something. Your countrymen, Philip, are the most jealous race in
Europe."

L'Estrange coughed here three or four times, to apprise his neighbors
that they were within earshot of others.

"Listen to that cough," cried the first speaker. "That was palpably
feigned. It was meant to say, 'Don't talk so loud.'"

"I always grow more indiscreet under such provocation," said th