pparent Catiline!' said Louis. 'Poor Delaford! he was
very useful to us, after all; and I should be glad to know he had a
better fate than going off to the diggings with a year's salary in his
pocket!'

(Footnote. A recent writer relates that he found the near relation of
a nobleman gaining a scanty livelihood as shoe-black at the diggings.
Query. Might not this be Mr. Delaford?)

'Then everything is settled?' asked his father.

'Almost everything. The mines are off our hands, and the transfer will
be completed as soon as Oliver has sent his signature; and there's
quite enough saved to make them very comfortable. You have told me
nothing of them yet?'

'They are all very well. James has been coming here twice a-week since
I have been at home, and has been very attentive and pleasant; but I
have not been at the Terrace much. There never was such a houseful of
children. Oliver's room is the only place where one is safe from
falling over two or three. However, they seem to like it, and to
think, the more the better. James came over here the morning after the
boy was born, as much delighted as if he had had any prospects.'

'A boy at last! Poor Mr. Dynevor! Does he take it as an insult to his
misfortunes?'

'He seems as well pleased as they; and, in fact, I hope the boy may
not, after all, be unprovided for. Mr. Mansell wrote to offer to be
godfather, and I thought I could not do otherwise than ask him to stay
here. I am glad I did so, for he told me that now he has seen for
himself the noble way they are going on in, he has made up his mind.
He has no relation nearer than Isabel, and he means to make his will in
favour of her son. He asked whether I would be a trustee, but I said I
was growing old, and had little doubt you would be glad enough. You
will have plenty of such work, Louis. It is very dangerous to be known
as a good man-of-business, and good-natured.'

'Pray, how does Jem bear it?'

'With tolerable equanimity. It may be many years before the child is
affected by it, if Mrs. Mansell has it for her life. Besides, James is
a wiser man than he used to be.'

'He has been somewhat like Robinson Crusoe's old goat,' said Louis.
'Poor Jem! the fall and the scanty fare tamed him. I liked him so well
before, that I did not know how much better I was yet to like him.
Mary, you must see his workhouse. Giving up his time to it as he does,
he does infinite good there.'

'Yes, Mr. Calcott says