discovered, her nephew was the great object of her affections. His
younger brother had neglected her, and was never mentioned except when
she regretted that Lord de Versely had no children, and that the title
would descend to his brother.

She requested me to stay for dinner, which I did not refuse, and before
dinner was over I had made great progress in the old lady's esteem. As,
when dinner was announced, her companion disappeared, we were then
alone. She asked me many questions relative to Lord de Versely, and
what had occurred during the time that I was serving with him; and this
was a subject on which I could be eloquent. I narrated several of our
adventures, particularly the action with the Dutch frigate, and other
particulars in which I could honestly do credit to his lordship, and I
often referred to his kindness for me.

"Well, Captain Keene, my nephew has often spoken to me about you, and
now you have done him credit in proving that he had made you a good
officer; and I have heard how much you have distinguished yourself since
you have left him."

"Or rather he left me, madam," replied I, "when he was summoned to the
House of Peers."

"Very true," replied the old lady. "I suppose you know that you were
born in this house, Captain Keene?"

"I have been told so, madam."

"Yes, I have no doubt your poor mother that's gone must have told you.
I recollect her--a very clever, active, and pretty young woman (here the
old lady sighed); and I held you in my arms, Captain Keene, when you
were only a few days old."

"You did me great honour, madam," replied I.

Here the conversation took another channel, which I was not sorry for.

After tea, I rose to take my leave, and then I received an invitation
from the old lady to come and spend some time at Madeline Hall, and to
come a few days before the first of September, that I might join the
shooting party. "I expect my nephew, Lord de Versely," said she, "and
there is Colonel Delmar of the Rifles, a cousin of Lord de Versely, also
coming, and one or two others. Indeed I expect the colonel every day.
He is a very pleasant and gentleman-like man."

I accepted the invitation with pleasure, and then took my leave. The
chaise drove off, and I was soon in a deep reverie; I called to mind all
my mother had told me, and I longed to return to the Hall, and visit
those scenes which had been referred to in my mother's narrative; and
more than that, I wished to mee