his majesty! At all events, Edward,
recollect you do not know what are the intentions of Mr Heatherstone;
wait and see what he proffers first."

"But, my dear sister, it appears to me that his intentions are evident.
Why has he rebuilt Arnwood? He is not going to surrender my property
and make me a present of the house."

"The reason for rebuilding the mansion was good. You were at the wars;
it was possible that you might or that you might not return. He said
this to Humphrey, who has all along been acting as his factotum in the
business; and recollect, at the time that Mr Heatherstone commenced the
rebuilding of the mansion, what prospect was there of the restoration of
the king, or of your ever being in a position to apply for the
restoration of your property? I believe, however, that Humphrey knows
more of Mr Heatherstone's intentions than he has made known to us; and
I therefore say again, my dear Edward, make no application till you
ascertain what Mr Heatherstone's intentions may be."

"Your advice is good, my dear Alice, and I will be guided by it,"
replied Edward.

"And now let me give you some advice for your friends, Masters Chaloner
and Grenville. That much of their property has been taken away and put
into other hands, I know; and probably they expect it will be restored
upon their application to the king. Those who hold the property think
so too, and so far it is fortunate. Now, from wiser heads than mine, I
have been told that these applications will not be acceded to, as is
supposed; but, at the same time, if they were to meet the parties, and
close with them at once, before the king's intentions are known, they
would recover their property at a third or a quarter of the value. Now
is their time: even a few days' delay may make a difference. They can
easily obtain a delay for the payment of the moneys. Impress that upon
them, my dear Edward, and let them, if possible, be off to their estates
to-morrow and make the arrangements."

"That is advice which must be followed," replied Edward. "We must go
now, and I will not fail to communicate it to them this very night."

We may as well here inform the reader that the advice was immediately
acted upon, and that Chaloner and Grenville recovered all their estates
at about five years' purchase.

Edward remained at court several days. He had written to Humphrey, and
had despatched a messenger with the letter, but the messenger had not
yet return