y inurned, and never parricidally
profaned by us the living age, who in our turn must follow the same
downward path. Dust, venerable and beloved--but still only dust.

The conversation ending, we took our diverse ways; Sir Ralph giving Mr.
Halifax a hearty invitation to the manor-house, and seeing him
hesitate, added, that "Lady Oldtower would shortly have the honour of
calling upon Mrs. Halifax."

John bowed. "But I ought to tell you, Sir Ralph, that my wife and I
are very simple people--that we make no mere acquaintances, and only
desire friends."

"It is fortunate that Lady Oldtower and myself share the same
peculiarity." And, shaking hands with a stately cordiality, the old
man took his leave.

"John, you have made a step in the world to-day."

"Have I?" he said, absently, walking in deep thought, and pulling the
hedge-leaves as he went along.

"What will your wife say?"

"My wife? bless her!" and he seemed to be only speaking the conclusion
of his thinking. "It will make no difference to her--though it might
to me. She married me in my low estate--but some day, God willing, no
lady in the land shall be higher than my Ursula."

Thus as in all things each thought most of the other, and both of
Him--whose will was to them beyond all human love, ay, even such love
as theirs.

Slowly, slowly, I watched the grey turrets of the manor-house fade away
in the dusk; the hills grew indistinct, and suddenly we saw the little
twinkling light that we knew was the lamp in Longfield parlour, shine
out like a glow-worm across the misty fields.

"I wonder if the children are gone to bed, Phineas?"

And the fatherly eyes turned fondly to that pretty winking light; the
fatherly heart began to hover over the dear little nest of home.

"Surely there's some one at the white gate. Ursula!"

"John! Ah--it is you."

The mother did not express her feelings after the fashion of most
women; but I knew by her waiting there, and by the nervous tremble of
her hand, how great her anxiety had been.

"Is all safe, husband?"

"I think so. Mr. Oldtower is elected--HE must fly the country."

"Then she is saved."

"Let us hope she is. Come, my darling!" and he wrapped his arm round
her, for she was shivering. "We have done all we could and must wait
the rest. Come home. Oh!" with a lifted look and a closer strain,
"thank God for home!"

CHAPTER XXV

We always rose early at Longfield. It was lovely to see the mo