of passion.

"Your excellent old servant has much mistaken us, Miss Dalton," said
Jekyl, with his most deferential of manners. "My friend, Captain
Onslow," here he moved his hand towards George, who bowed, "and myself,
having planned a day's shooting in the 'Moorg,' have come to request the
pleasure of Mr. Dalton's company."

"Oh, the thievin' villains!" muttered Andy; "that's the way they 'll
catch him."

Meanwhile Kate, having promised to convey their polite invitation,
expressed her fears that her father's health might be unequal to the
exertion. Jekyl immediately took issue upon the point, and hoped, and
wondered, and fancied, and "flattered himself" so much, that Kate at
last discovered she had been drawn into a little discussion, when
she simply meant to have returned a brief answer; and while she was
hesitating how to put an end to an interview that had already lasted too
long, Dalton himself appeared.

"Is it with me these gentlemen have their business?" said he, angrily,
while he rudely resisted all Andy's endeavors to hold him back.

"Oh, my dear Mr. Dalton," said Jekyl, warmly, "it is such a pleasure to
see you quite restored to health again! Here we are Captain Onslow, Mr.
Dalton thinking of a little excursion after the woodcocks down the Moorg
Thai; and I have been indulging the hope that you 'll come along with
us."

The very hint of an attention, the merest suggestion that bordered on
a civility, struck a chord in old Dalton's nature that moved all his
sympathies. It was at once a recognition of himself and his ancestry for
generations back. It was a rehabilitation of all the Dal tons of Mount
Dalton for centuries past; and as he extended a hand to each, and
invited them to walk in, he half felt himself at home again, doing the
honors of his house, and extending those hospitalities that had brought
him to beggary.

"Are you serious about the shooting-party?" whispered Onslow to Jekyl,
as he walked forward.

"Of course not. It's only a 'Grecian horse,' to get inside the citadel."

"My daughter, Miss Dalton; Mr. Jekyl Miss Kate Dalton. Your friend's
name, I believe, is--"

"Captain Onslow."

Lady Hester started at the name, and, rising, at once said,

"Oh, George, I must introduce you to my fair friends. Miss Dalton, this
gentleman calls me 'mamma;' or, at least, if he does not, it is from
politeness. Captain Onslow Mr. Dalton. Now, by what fortunate event came
you here?"

"Ought I not to