as all the
rest looked upon him with astonishment.

"No, my dear Emily, no bad news, but most unexpected news; such as it
has been my fortune in life to receive once before this time. You
remember, although years have since passed, the letter that was brought
to us in our little parlor--"

"Which put you in possession of Wexton Hall, Campbell."

"Yes, I did refer to that; but I will not keep you all in longer
suspense. This is but a counterpart of the former letter."

Mr. Campbell then read as follows:--
"May 7, 18--

"Dear Sir,--It is with great pleasure that we have again to
communicate to you that you may return, as soon as you please, and
take possession of the Wexton Hall property.

"You may remember that many months back Mr. Douglas Campbell
received a fall from his horse when hunting. No serious
consequences were anticipated, but it appears that his spine was
injured, and after some months' close confinement, he expired on
the 9th of April. As Mr. Douglas Campbell has left no issue, and
you are the next in tail, you have now undisputed possession of the
property which you so honorably surrendered some years since.

"I have taken upon myself to act as your agent since Mr. Campbell's
decease. Mrs. D. Campbell has a handsome settlement upon the
property, which will of course fall in upon her demise. Waiting
your commands,
"I am, dear sir,
"Yours truly,
"J. HARVEY."

"Mr. Campbell, I congratulate you with all my heart," said the Colonel,
rising up, and taking his hand. "You have proved yourself deserving of
such good fortune; Mrs. Campbell, I need hardly add that my
congratulations extend to you."

Surprise at first rendered Mrs. Campbell mute; at last she said--

"We are in the hands of Him, and do but execute His will. For your sake,
my dear Campbell, for the children's sake, perhaps, I ought to
rejoice--we hardly know. That I am happy here, now that my children have
been restored to me, I confess. I doubt whether that happiness will be
increased by the return to Wexton Hall; at all events, I shall leave
this place with regret. We have had too many revolutions of fortune,
Campbell, since we have been united, not to have learned by experie