s soon almost as the property devolved to him--
and I, who was appointed to be his guardian, never beheld my charge.
Now we have another violent death of the possessor--and all within the
space of twelve or thirteen years. You have probably heard something of
the singular history of the former heir to the estate?"

"I heard you state that he was drowned at sea; but nothing further."

"Or, rather, supposed to be, for we never had proof positive. He was
sent away in a prize, which never was heard of; and, although there is
no confirmation of the fact, I have no doubt but he was lost. I do not
know when I was so much distressed as at the death of that child. There
was a peculiarity of incident in his history, the facts of which I have
not as yet communicated to any one, as there are certain points which
even distant branches of the family may wish to keep concealed--yet,
upon a promise of secrecy, Mr McElvina, I will impart them to you."

The promise being given, the vicar commenced with the history of Admiral
de Courcy,--his treatment of his wife and children,--the unfortunate
marriage, and more unfortunate demise of Edward Peters, or rather of
Edward de Courcy--the acknowledgment of his grandson by Admiral de
Courcy on his death-bed--the account of Adams--his death--the boy being
sent away in a prize, and drowned at sea. "I have all the particulars
in writing," continued the good man, "and the necessary documents; and
his identity was easy to be proved by the mark of the broad-arrow
imprinted on his shoulder by old Adams."

"Heavens! is it possible?" exclaimed McElvina, grasping the arm of the
vicar.

"What do you mean?"

"Mean!--I mean that the boy is alive--has been in your company within
the last two years."

"That boy?"

"Yes, that boy--that boy is William Seymour."

"Merciful God! how inscrutable are thy ways!" exclaimed the vicar with
astonishment and reverence. "Explain to me, my dear sir,--how can you
establish your assertion?"

If the reader will refer back to the circumstance of the vicar calling
upon Captain M---, he will observe that, upon being made acquainted with
the loss of the child, he was so much shocked that he withdrew without
imparting the particulars to one who was a perfect stranger; and, on the
other hand, Captain M---, when Seymour again made his appearance, after
an interval of three years, not having been put in possession of these
facts, or even knowing the vicar's address o