hen, a
fortnight out they encountered a French frigate; which, however, they
beat off, and arrived in England without further adventure.

As soon as he landed, Dick drove to the house where his father and
mother had taken up their residence, on their arrival in England; but
he found to his surprise that, eight months before, they had moved to
another, in the village of Hackney. He proceeded there, and found it
to be a considerably larger one than that they had left, and standing
in its own grounds, which were of some extent. He had written to them
after the fall of Seringapatam, and told them that he should probably
sail for England about six weeks later. As the vehicle drove to the
door, his father and mother ran out. His father grasped his hand, and
his mother threw her aims round his neck, with tears of joy.

As soon as the first greeting was over, Dick saw a young lady, in deep
mourning, standing on the steps. He looked at her for a moment in
surprise, and then exclaimed:

"It is Annie Mansfield!"

Annie held out her hand, and laughed.

"We are both changed almost beyond recognition, Dick."

Then she added, demurely, "The last time, I had to ask you--"

"You sha'n't have to ask me again, Annie," he said, giving her a
hearty kiss. "My first impulse was to do it, but I did not know
whether your sentiments on the subject had changed."

"I am not given to change," she said.

"Am I, Mrs. Holland?"

"I don't think you are, my dear. I think there is a little spice of
obstinacy in your composition.

"But come in, Dick. Don't let us stand talking here at the door, when
we have so much to say to each other."

He went into the sitting room with his father and mother, where Annie
presently left them to themselves.

"Why, Father, the privateers must have done well, indeed!" Dick said,
looking round the handsome room.

"I have nothing to grumble at, on that score, Dick, though they have
not been so lucky the last two years. But it is not their profits that
induced us to move here. You saw Annie was in mourning. Her father
died, nearly a year ago, and at her earnest request, as he said in his
will, appointed us her guardians until she came of age, which will be
in a few months now. As he had no near relations, he left the whole of
his property to her; and having been in India in the days when, under
Warren Hastings, there were good pickings to be obtained, it amounted
to a handsome fortune. She said that she shou