"Then what I am going to do," said the man, "is this. I am going to get
the vans, and fetch the goods right away. I may be back this afternoon,
or I may be back to-morrow morning; but you take my advice, miss. Talk
it over with the old gentleman, and raise the money somehow, for it
really would go against me to have to sell you up. I'm to be heard of at
the 'Chequers,' miss--William Joskins, at your service."

Then he had gone away, and left her alone, and she stood looking through
the window at the dreary prospect--thinking, and thinking, and unable to
see any light in the darkness.

One thing, at all events, she must do; a message must be sent to Sydney.
It would not be just, either to him or to his father, that the extent of
the disaster should be any longer concealed. She had just arrived at
this determination, and was turning away to write the telegram, when the
messenger from the post-office made his appearance.

In five minutes all the house was astir. A visit from Sydney was a rare
occurrence, and he must be treated royally, as though he were a king
condescending to quarter himself on his loyal subjects--which indeed, he
was. When Lettice went to tell her father the news she found him seated
by the fire, pondering gloomily on what the immediate future might have
in store for him; but as soon as she showed him Sydney's telegram he
sprang to his feet, with straightened body and brightly shining eyes. In
one moment he had passed from despondency to the height of exultation.

"Two o'clock," he said, looking at his watch, "and he will be here at
five! Dinner must be ready for him by six; and you will take care,
Lettice, that everything is prepared as you know he would like to have
it. Going into Parliament, is he? Yes, I have always told you that he
would. He is a born orator, child; he will serve his country
brilliantly--not for place, nor for corrupt motives of any kind, but as
a patriot and a Christian, to whom duty is the law of his nature."

"Yes, papa. And you will be satisfied when he is a member of
Parliament?"

"So long as Sydney lives, my dear, I know that he will grow in favor
with God and man; and so long as I live, I shall watch his course with
undiminished joy and satisfaction. What else have we left to live for?
Wife!" said the rector, as Mrs. Campion entered the room, "do you know
that our boy is to dine with us to-night?"

"Yes, Lawrence, I have seen his telegram; and Mollie is doing all she
c