smiled as he passed--as though his
presence and his recognition were good things to have and to win. His
wife often laughed, and said she doubted whether even Mr. O'Connell of
Derrynane, who was just now making a commotion in Ireland, lighting the
fire of religious and political discord from one end to the other of
County Clare;--she doubted if even Daniel O'Connell had more popularity
among his own people than John Halifax had in the primitive
neighbourhood where he had lived so long.

Mrs. Halifax herself was remarkably gay this morning. She had had
letters from Guy; together with a lovely present, for which he said he
had ransacked all the magazins des modes in Paris--a white embroidered
China shawl. It had arrived this morning--Lord Ravenel being the
bearer. This was not the first time by many that he had brought us
news of our Guy, and thereby made himself welcome at Beechwood. More
welcome than he might have been otherwise; for his manner of life was
so different from ours. Not that Lord Ravenel could be accused of any
likeness to his father; but blood is blood, and education and habits
are not to be easily overcome. The boys laughed at him for his
aristocratic, languid ways; Maud teased him for his mild cynicism and
the little interest he seemed to take in anything; while the mother
herself was somewhat restless about his coming, wondering what possible
good his acquaintance could do to us, or ours to him, seeing we moved
in totally different spheres. But John himself was invariably kind,
nay, tender over him--we all guessed why. And perhaps even had not the
young man had so many good points, while his faults were more negations
than positive ill qualities, we likewise should have been tender over
him--for Muriel's sake.

He had arrived at Beechwood this morning, and falling as usual into our
family routine, had come with us to Norton Bury. He looked up with
more interest than usual in his pensive eyes, as he crossed the
threshold of our old house, and told Maud how he had come there many
years ago with his father.

"That was the first time I ever met your father," I overheard him say
to Maud--not without feeling; as if he thought he owed fate some
gratitude for the meeting.

Mrs. Halifax, in the casual civil inquiry which was all the old earl
ever won in our house, asked after the health of Lord Luxmore.

"He is still at Compiegne. Does not Guy mention him? Lord Luxmore
takes the greatest pleas