the wild and thoughtless pleasure-seeking, joke-loving lad into the calm and serious man.  To the eyes of his family, opposite as the brothers in youth had been, there were now many points of Herbert’s character reflected upon Percy, and dearer than ever he became; and the love which had been excited in the gentle heart of Louisa Manvers by the wild spirits, the animation, the harmless recklessness, the freedom of thought and word, which had characterised Percy, when she first knew him, was purified and heightened by the calm dignity, the more serious thought, the solid qualities of the virtuous and honourable man.

Lieutenant Fortescue was now daily expected in England, much to the delight of his family and Sir George Wilmot, who declared he should have no peace till he was introduced to the preserver of his gallant boy, as he chose to call Edward.  Lieutenant Mordaunt; he never heard of such a name, and he was quite sure he had never been a youngster in his cockpit.  “What does he mean by saying he knows me, that he sailed with me, when a mid? he must be some impostor, Mistress Nell, take my word for it,” Sir George would laughingly say, and vow vengeance on Ellen, for daring to doubt the excellence of his memory; as she one day ventured to hint that it was so very many years, it was quite impossible Sir George could remember the names of all the middies under him.  It was much more probable, Sir George would retort, that slavery had bewildered the poor man’s understanding, and that he fancied he was acquainted with the first English names he heard.

“Never mind, Nell, he has been a slave, poor fellow, so we will not treat him as an impostor, the first moment he reaches his native land,” was the general conclusion of the old Admiral’s jokes, as each day increased his impatience for Edward’s return.

He was gratified at length, and as generally happens, when least expected, for protesting he would not be impatient any more, he amused himself by setting little Lord Lyle on his knee, and was so amused by the child’s playful prattle and joyous laugh, that he forgot to watch at the window, which was his general post.  Ellen was busily engaged in nursing Caroline’s babe, now about six months old.

“Give me Mary, Ellen,” said the young Earl, entering the room, with pleasure visibly impressed on his features.  “You will have somebody else to kiss in a moment, and unless you can bear joy as composedly as you can sorrow, why I tremble for the fate of my little Mary.”

“What do you mean, St. Eval? you shall not take my baby from me, unless you can give me a better reason.”

“I mean that Edward will be here in five minutes, if he be not already.  Ah, Ellen, you will resign Mary now.  Come to me, little lady,” and the young father caught his child from Ellen’s trembling hands, and dancing her high in the air, was rewarded by her loud crow of joy.