others.

'The spot is a very remote one: we have no railway within fourteen
miles; and the nearest place for putting up at--called a town, though
merely a large village--is Castle Boterel, two miles further on; so that
it would be most convenient for you to stay at the vicarage--which I am
glad to place at your disposal--instead of pushing on to the hotel at
Castle Boterel, and coming back again in the morning.

'Any day of the next week that you like to name for the visit will find
us quite ready to receive you.--Yours very truly,

CHRISTOPHER SWANCOURT.

2.--MR. HEWBY TO MR. SWANCOURT.

"PERCY PLACE, CHARING CROSS, Feb. 20, 18--.

'DEAR SIR,--Agreeably to your request of the 18th instant, I have
arranged to survey and make drawings of the aisle and tower of your
parish church, and of the dilapidations which have been suffered to
accrue thereto, with a view to its restoration.

'My assistant, Mr. Stephen Smith, will leave London by the early train
to-morrow morning for the purpose. Many thanks for your proposal to
accommodate him. He will take advantage of your offer, and will
probably reach your house at some hour of the evening. You may put every
confidence in him, and may rely upon his discernment in the matter of
church architecture.

'Trusting that the plans for the restoration, which I shall prepare from
the details of his survey, will prove satisfactory to yourself and Lord
Luxellian, I am, dear sir, yours faithfully,

WALTER HEWBY.'

Chapter III

'Melodious birds sing madrigals'

That first repast in Endelstow Vicarage was a very agreeable one to
young Stephen Smith. The table was spread, as Elfride had suggested to
her father, with the materials for the heterogeneous meal called high
tea--a class of refection welcome to all when away from men and towns,
and particularly attractive to youthful palates. The table was prettily
decked with winter flowers and leaves, amid which the eye was greeted by
chops, chicken, pie, &c., and two huge pasties overhanging the sides of
the dish with a cheerful aspect of abundance.

At the end, towards the fireplace, appeared the tea-service, of
old-fashioned Worcester porcelain, and behind this arose the slight
form of Elfride, attempting to add matronly dignity to the movement of
pouring out tea, and to have a weighty and concerned look in matters of
marmalade, honey, and clotted cream. Having made her own meal before he
arrived, she found to her