nd you know too well, a very faulty one."

"Say no more, my good friend," replied Cosin; "only let not our
separation now be an end to our intercourse. You shall ever be to us a
welcome visitor."

"And I, for my part, shall ever be delighted to renew my acquaintance
with the place which has been at once, the saddest and the happiest in my
life."

The others had now joined them.

"Tournier will soon be here again!" cried Cosin to his sister, unable to
repress the pleasure that he felt, but entirely, dull fellow that he was,
on his own account.

And all, saving Villemet, finished their ride in the best of spirits.

Next day came the parting.

CHAPTER X.--ENGLAND AND FRANCE UNITED.

Who could describe the pleasure felt by the Frenchmen as they gazed once
more on the shores of their own dear country after so long an absence!
Even Villemet lost his lugubrious looks, while his friend, brimming over
with joy, seemed almost ready to leap into the sea to get there. He
sprung about the deck, sang snatches of songs, laughed at every remark
Villemet made even when there was nothing to laugh at, in fact, made
himself somewhat ridiculous.

As soon as they landed, they instantly made arrangements to post straight
away to their homes, which were not far apart from each other. Villemet's
came first; and there, as they drove up, a perfect swarm of younger
brothers and sisters came out to devour him; his old father and mother
looking on behind with calmer but not less real delight. It was a pretty
sight, and as Tournier drove away amid their joyful greetings, he could
not help for the moment envying him, and contrasting the scene with that
which was awaiting himself, with only one welcome--only one--but then
that was the welcome of a mother!

He had to pass a well-known house; but as he drew near, he dashed down
the blind, and turned away fiercely, till it was passed. "Dead!" he
muttered.

The nearer he drew to his old home the more familiar were the objects
that met his eye, till at last he spun through the gates, and up the
drive, and almost leaping into the house, cried to the smiling servants,
"Is she in her old room?"

And there he found her. She was pretty as ever, prettier than ever, as
_he_ thought.

"Mother, I have come to take care of you at last," he said; "and _to_ the
last, thank God."

"Thank God," she murmured in reply.

But though his mother seemed almost like her old self under the
exhil