Arrived at the great man's door, Gilbert asked his father if he should see him up to his room? To which that fond parent and affectionate stickler for the sacredness of "family ties," curtly, but specifically, replied—

"Go to the devil!"

We are sorry to have to record so flagrant an act of disobedience on the part of Gilbert— another lamentable instance of his disregard for family ties, but instead of doing as his father had ordered him, he did the very reverse, and went back to Dorothy, who was only waiting for his return to take leave of their Majesties.

When Gilbert rejoined them, the King was still laughing at Killigrew's description, or rather enactment, of Sir Allen's passage of arms, or rather of feet and of teeth, against the mad doctor

"And I assure your Majesty," concluded he, "the doctor's man would have given Sir Allen quite rope enough to hang himself with, if that Phoenix of a son of his had not come to the rescue at such a very mal-à-propos moment. Ah! talk of the devil-le voici !"

Mrs. Neville and Dorothy rose, took leave of the Queen, respectfully expressing their deep sense of her Majesty's great kindness.

When Dorothy approached the King, she attempted to kiss his hand, which he would not allow, but kissed hers instead. She then faltered out, with the tears in her eyes—

"If I do not thank you, sire, it is your own fault your Majesty has laid such a life long debt of gratitude upon me, that it has made me a bankrupt in thanks.”

"Fore George! Mistress Dorothy," smiled the King, "if all debtors were only half as fair, there would be no such thing as dishonesty in the world."

"And," said Killigrew, aside, "what a saturnalia it would be for the accursed race of creditors!" Could it be possible, that Dorothy, who had arrived at the palace a few hours before with such a heavy, heavy heart, was now returning from it with all she loved best in the world-her lover beside her, her mother opposite to her, and she so supremely happy, that she could hardly persuade herself of her own identity; but Gilbert being perfectly sure of it, at last contrived to convince her too.

It was half-past eleven when they arrived at their own door, where they found Hartsfoot walking up and down like a sentry, for he was, in truth, so anxious to hear the result of the summons to Whitehall, that he could not wait till the morrow. Dorothy was the first to perceive him.

"Lean back, Gilbert," she cried, "while we get out, and let me have the pleasure of surprising dear Master Hartsfoot, for whom, I may as well tell you at once, I have had divers times and often-serious thoughts of jilting you."

CHAPTER XI.

EXPLANATIONS.

RS. NEVILLE, entering into Dorothy's plan of surprising Hartsfoot, said, as soon as Jessop had answered the door, and Lancelot had

put down the carriage steps

"Jessop, go and tell Appleby to let us have the best supper she can immediately. And, Lancelet, go and ask Ruffle to give you a velvet cardinal for me, for I am very chilly."

And having thus got rid of the servants, Dorothy was free to act; and leaning forward so as to completely hide her mother and Gilbert, she held out one hand to Hartsfoot, and with the other hid her face in her handkerchief.

"Well!" said Hartsfoot, his heart failing him at seeing that.

"Well!" echoed Dorothy, in a lachrymose voice, "I was not aware before that we lived under an absolute monarchy; but it seems that a King of England can do just as he pleases with his subjects, and move them about at will, like a set of chess men. He might well order

us to be dressed like victims, all in white, for the sacrifice; for his next autocratic command is, that I am to be married this day month. Oh! it is incredible! positively incredible! No one would believe the things we have seen and heard to-night."

And she sighed deeply.

"But-but," said Hartsfoot, in a sort of blank and bewildered despair, not knowing exactly what to say, and not liking to own even to himself his utter disappointment, for he had hoped so much from this summons to Whitehall, and the reading of Mrs. Phillida Broderick's Will, "but are there then no tidings of Captain Broderick ?"

"Why, yes, there are; but I am really too tired to say more now, and here is one who can tell you a great deal more about him than I can,"

And so saying, she leant back, and Gilbert came forward, holding out both his hands to Hartsfoot, who could scarcely believe his eyes, as the full flood of moon-light revealed the graceful figure and handsome face of Gilbert Broderick, so radiant with happiness.

"Good heaven!" exclaimed Hartsfoot, shaking him by both hands, cordially, "this is a delightful surprise!"

And Gilbert sprang out of the carriage.

"Well, dear Master Hartsfoot," said Dorothy, following him, while he held out his hand to help Mrs. Neville out, "I owed it to you, for the more than one, you have brought to me," and then clasping his arm by passing both her hands through it, she led him into the house, leaving Gilbert to escort her mother.

Jessop had by this time returned to the door his surprise and delight at seeing Gilbert were unbounded, and although there was no election going on, and Captain Broderick was not a candidate, and Jessop had no vote if he had been, Gilbert cordially shook hands with the old man. They then all went into the dining-room, where the table was ready laid for supper, and where there was a blazing pine fire, which seemed to do its very best and brightest to welcome them.

"I declare," said Dorothy, "by the way the fire crackles and sparkles, one would think the very wood knew all about it, and was glad."

"I often fancy," replied Hartsfoot, “that inanimate things do sympathise with us, and reflect our moods of joy or sorrow. At least, to poor anchorites who live alone, their Lares and Penates stand in lieu of kith and kin, and so are bound to do so."

Jessop, after placing chairs for them, hurried out of the room, not only on account of certain arrangements he had to make of his own, towards