nding, to
share with his mother the salutations of the Returned. An old man sat
in an armchair by the fire, gazing on the three with an affectionate and
gladdening eye, and playfully detaining a child of about four years old,
who was struggling to escape to dear "papa"!

The room was of oak wainscot, and the furniture plain, solid, and
strong, and cast in the fashion still frequently found in those country
houses which have remained unaltered by innovation since the days of
George II.

Three rough-coated dogs, of a breed that would have puzzled a
connoisseur, gave themselves the rousing shake, and, deserting the
luxurious hearth, came in various welcome to their master.

One rubbed himself against Cole's sturdy legs, murmuring soft
rejoicings: he was the grandsire of the canine race, and his wick of
life burned low in the socket. Another sprang up almost to the face of
his master, and yelled his very heart out with joy; that was the son,
exulting in the vigour of matured doghood; and the third scrambled and
tumbled over the others, uttering his paeans in a shrill treble, and
chiding most snappishly at his two progenitors for interfering with his
pretensions to notice; that was the infant dog, the little reveller
in puppy childishness! Clarence stood by the door, with his fine
countenance smiling benevolently at the happiness he beheld, and
congratulating himself that for one moment the group had forgot that he
was a stranger.

As soon as our gypsy friend had kissed his wife, shaken hands with his
eldest hope, shaken his head at his youngest, smiled his salutation at
the father-in-law, and patted into silence the canine claimants of
his favour, he turned to Clarence, and saying, half bashfully, half
good-humouredly, "See what a troublesome thing it is to return home,
even after three days' absence. Lucy, dearest, welcome a new friend!"
he placed a chair by the fireside for his guest, and motioned him to be
seated.

The chief expression of Clarence's open and bold countenance was centred
in the eyes and forehead; and, as he now doffed his hat, which had
hitherto concealed that expression, Lucy and her husband recognized him
simultaneously.

"I am sure, sir," cried the former, "that I am glad to see you once
more!"

"Ah! my young guest under the gypsy awning!" exclaimed the latter,
shaking him heartily by the hand: "where were my eyes that they did not
recognize you before?

"Eight years," answered Clarence, "h