ournful sentence decided me, and the next morning found me
on the road to London; and I determined to take Moncton Park in my
route, and seek a reconciliation with Sir Alexander. After what had
passed between me and Miss Moncton, I flattered myself that this would
be an easy matter.

"I was no longer a poor orphan boy, dependent upon his bounty; but a
well-educated, wealthy man, whose fortune was equal, if not greater
than his own. There was no favour I could ask, or that he could bestow,
beyond the renewal of that friendship which formed the delight of my
boyhood, and of which I had been so suddenly deprived.

"As I rode up the noble avenue of oaks which led to the Hall, I felt so
confident of success, so vain of my altered fortunes, so proud of the
noble horse I rode, that my spirits grew buoyant, and my cheeks glowed
with anticipated pleasure.

"'Is Sir Alexander at home?' I eagerly demanded of the liveried servant
that opened the door.

"'He is, sir. What name shall I send up?' I gave him my card, and was
shown into the library, while he carried it up to his master.

"Years had fled away, since I last stood within that room, a happy
thoughtless boy. How vividly did every book and picture recall the
blessed hours I had passed there, with Margaret and Alice, when the
weather was wet, and we could not play abroad! It was in this
apartment, with its carved oak wainscoting and antique windows of
stained glass, in which we generally held our revels, turning over the
huge folios in search of pictures.

"There was the Book of Martyrs, with all its revolting details of human
bigotry; and its dreadful exhibitions of human endurance amidst scorn
and agony. On these we gazed in mysterious awe; and as we turned over
the horrible pages, we said to one another, 'that we were glad we were
not Christians in those days.'

"Then, there was Descartes' ancient philosophy. A huge tome, full of
quaint pictures of gods and goddesses, and angels and devils, on which
we were never tired or gazing; infinitely preferring the latter, with
their curious tails and horns, to the former; whom we called, 'Fat
lazy-looking children with wings.' 'Goldsmith's World,' 'Buffon's
Natural History,' and the whole family of Encyclopedias, with their
numerous prints, were among our chief favourites, and helped to beguile
the long wet day. Sir Alexander often assisted himself at these
exhibitions, and seemed as much pleased with showing us the pictures