Hartsfoot read this letter over twice, apparently weighing every word; his two companions in their turn did the same, Ferrol watching their three countenances as they read, as if his life had depended upon their verdict.

"Well?" asked Hartsfoot, as soon as Locke had laid down the letter.

"Well," said Locke, "I am of Dame Swinburn's opinion, that this is an authentic-I mean a bona fide document.'

"So am I," said Hartsfoot; "but your reasons for so believing?"

"In the first place there is no sympton of extortion, and evidently no motive for extorting, and no attempt at beguiling, or betraying, or leading into, or on to anything. Had it been from an impostor, or a person with any nefarious design, it would have been conceived in a very different vein; it would have said, if a certain sum of money were sent to, or left at such a place, &c., &c., or if Mrs. Swinburn on such a day and such an hour, would be at some particular spot, she would hear tidings of Captain Broderick. Again, an impostor in his or her anxiety to appear plausible and authentic, would have, as the lawyers say, 'proved too much;' he would, either by hints or round assertions, have attempted to account for the young man's disappearance, or invented some pretext for his not

writing, or for his not being able to write, but there is nothing of the kind. Again, the writer is evidently well and correctly acquainted with the carte du pays of the Captain's household, and calls his servant friend Ferrol,' allowing him to be informed of his master's safety and well-being, but prohibiting this much news of him being made a matter of town talk. Lastly, we must recollect that with the exception of his own father, the young man was so well beloved, that he had not an enemy in the world; and the absence of all motive for fraud or imposition is in my mind the best guarantee for the genuineness of this letter. And although the mystery of Captain Broderick's disappearance remains as dark, or indeed, darker than ever, I think we may fairly conclude, without any fear of future disappointment, that he really is safe and well." "And your opinion, Dr. Fairbrace ?" asked Hartsfoot.

"You have just heard it verbatim; only so much better expressed in Mr. Locke's words."

"There! My good fellow," said Hartsfoot, turning to Ferrol, "we all three believe this letter to be true and genuine, and that you will, as it states, in some few months see your master again, safe and well."

"Oh! God Almighty bless you, gentlemen," exclaimed poor Ferrol, the tears gushing from

his eyes as he was about to fall upon his knees, had not Hartsfoot prevented him, and insisted upon his taking the wine to drink Captain Broderick's health and safe return.

Now, Ferrol, will you trust this letter with me till to-morrow ?"

"Oh! for ever, sir, if you wish."

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Nay,” " smiled Hartsfoot, "curb your generosity, for we might both be indicted for felony; you for stealing Mrs. Swinburn's letter, and I for accepting it, knowing it to be stolen. But come to me the day after to-morrow, and you shall have it safely back; and now take my advice, go' home, try and get out of your bad habit of not eating, which Mrs. Swinburn makes such sad complaints about, or your master won't know you when he comes back, and will insist upon looking out for a more comely servant, more like what his much valued Ferrol was. And as idleness is the root of all evil, employ your hands and amuse your mind by helping Mrs. Swinburn to arrange the new furniture in Captain Broderick's drawing-room. There, off with you," said Master Hartsfoot, opening the dining-room door for him, and giving him a slight push, which, gentle as it was, acted as such an impetus, that it sent him straight into the arms of Mr. Pump, who was hovering about in the hall, and Ferrol, "improving the occasion," as itinerant preachers

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say, in the exuberance of his delight, nearly squeezed the Pump dry, or at least, all the breath out of his body, as he said—

"Oh! Pump, I begin now to hope that I really shall see him again !"

"Who? the Cappen? Hooray! Well, Ferrol, you always was a sober chap; so when the Cappen does come back mind it's to the Pump you comes to drink his health."

"Now," said Hartsfoot, so soon as the door had closed upon Ferrol, "I'm sure Mr. Locke will excuse us; and I think the sooner you and I, Dr. Fairbrace, take water at Westminster Stairs and reach The Chestnuts with this letter, the better."

"So say I," said Locke; "and I'll walk with you as far as Westminster Hall."

Hartsfoot rang; Mr. Pump appeared somewhat compressed from his late squeeze.

"My hat and gloves, Pump, and tell Barton to get ready directly to come with me; I am going to Richmond, and he can take the opportunity of seeing his mother and sister."

VOL. III.

CHAPTER II.

THE SUREST AND SHORTEST ROAD TO HAPPINES S

IS TO MAKE OTHERS HAPPY.

HE trio sallied forth, followed by Joe Barton, carrying his master's cloak, his step lighter than the air, and his looks brighter than the July sun, at the prospect of seeing his mother and sister, to say nothing of a row up the river and another row back in the cool of the evening. They hurried on, as kind-hearted people do when they are the bearers of good news to those who have long waited for it, but waited in vain. Locke had just left them to go into Westminster Hall, to call at Gillyflower and Heanman's for Hobb's Three Discourses on Humane Nature, which they had just published, wishing them God speed, when Master Hartsfoot saw approaching, at a somewhat slow and dignified-pace what, upon the first casual view, appeared like a small meadow completely overrun with buttercups, so that the indigenous green only appeared here and there with a few poppies or