o each other, and guests from far
and near assembled to do honour to the occasion. Jack wrung Jasper's
hand.

"I wish you every happiness the world can give you!" he exclaimed,
though as he spoke his voice trembled and the tears stood in his eyes.

Alethea looked more beautiful and attractive than she had ever done
before, and Polly was more merry and full of life, not a bit abashed by
the ceremony through which she then had to go. Jack performed his part
well throughout the whole of it, and in the evening no one danced more
lightly and merrily, or laughed louder than did he. At supper he sang
some of his best sea-songs; and every one declared that Jack Deane was
one of the finest young fellows who had appeared at Nottingham for many
a long day.

Nottingham at that time could boast of some of the most agreeable
society to be met out of London. It had been assigned as the residence
of Marshall Tallard, the opponent of the great Duke of Marlborough at
the battle of Blenheim, who was now a prisoner of war with a number of
other gallant and polished French officers, who bore their captivity
with resignation and cheerfulness, making themselves perfectly at home,
and doing their best to amuse those among whom they lived.

Several curious traditions of their stay in the town still linger there.
It was a French prisoner who first observed celery growing wild on the
rock on which Nottingham Castle stands, Alainon Franchise, and having
cultivated it successfully in his own little garden, he made that
pleasant addition to English tables, from that time forth common every
where throughout the kingdom. French rolls were also introduced from a
receipt sent by the Marshall himself to a baker in Bridlesmith-gate.

It had been arranged that cousin Nat should reside with Jasper Deane, to
whom he purposed giving up his practice when he should retire, which he
expected to do in the course of a few years.

Jack was received in a friendly way wherever he went. The errors and
wild pranks of the boy were entirely forgotten, when it was known that
he had been fighting bravely for his king and country, and that he had
by his own good conduct gained the rank he already held in the navy.

Jack, however, very soon got tired of leading an idle life. Routs and
card-parties were not at all to his taste, and although Nottingham was
not destitute of damsels possessed of a fair amount of beauty, he did
not find himself attracted by any of t