in that which comes foremost nowadays-the money. Dream not that he is a great catch, my dear; I know more of that matter than you do. It is possible that he may stand at the altar with little to settle upon his bride except his bright waistcoat and gaiters.'

Tush, Christophare! You are, to my mind, always an enigma.' 'That is as it should be, and keeps me interesting still. But this is a mere boy-and-girl romance. If it meant anything, my only concern would be, to know whether the boy was good. If not, I should promptly kick him back to his own door.'

From my observation, he is very good,—to attend to his rights, and make the utmost of them.'

Mr. Bart laughed; for he knew that a little hit at himself was intended; and very often now, as his joints began to stiffen, he wished that his youth had been wiser. He stuck to his theories still; but his practice would have been more of the practical kind, if it had come back to be done again. But his children, and his wife, had no claim to bring up anything; because everything was gone, before he undertook their business. However he obtained reproach-as always seems to happen-for those doings of his early days, which led to their existence. Still he liked to make the best of things; and laughed, instead of arguing.

For a short time, therefore, Lancelot Carnaby seemed to have his own way in this matter, as well as in so many others. As soon as spring weather unbound the streams, and enlarged both the spots, and the appetite of trout (which mainly thrive together), Pet became seized, by his own account, with insatiable love of angling. The beck of the gill, running into the Lune, was alive, in those unpoaching days, with sweet little trout, of a very high breed, playful, mischievous, and indulging (while they provoked) good hunger. These were trout who disdained to feed basely on the ground when they could feed upward, ennobling almost every gulp with a glimpse of the upper creation. Mrs. Carnaby loved these graceful creatures,' as she always called them, when fried well; and she thought it so good, and so clever, of her son, to tempt her poor appetite with them.

6

Philippa, he knows-perhaps your mind is absent,' she said, as she put the fifth trout on her plate, at breakfast, one fine morning'he feels that these little creatures do me good; and to me it becomes a sacred duty to endeavour to eat them.'

'You seem to succeed very well, Eliza.'

"Yes, dear, I manage to get on a little: from a sort of sporting feeling, that appeals to me. Before I begin to lift the skins of any of these little darlings, I can see my dear boy standing over the torrent, with his wonderful boldness, and bright eagle eyes

To pull out a fish of an ounce and a half. Without any disrespect to Pet, whose fishing apparel has cost twenty pounds, I believe that Jordas catches every one of them.'

Sad to say, this was even so. Lancelot tried, once or twice, for some five minutes at a time, throwing the fly as he threw a skittle-ball;

but finding no fish at once respond to his precipitance, down he cast the rod, and left the rest of it to Jordas. But, inasmuch as he brought back fish, whenever he went out fishing, and looked as brilliant and picturesque as a salmon-fly in his new costume, his mother was delighted; and his aunt, being full of fresh troubles, paid small heed to him.

For, as soon as the roads became safe again, and an honest attorney could enter horse-hire' in his bill, without being too chivalrous, and the ink that had clotted in the good-will time began to form black blood again, Mr. Jellicorse himself resolved legitimately to set forth upon a legal enterprise. The winter had shaken him slightly-for even a solicitor's body is vulnerable; and well for the clerk of the weather it is that no action lies against him-and his good wife told him to be very careful, although he looked as young as ever. She had no great opinion of the people he was going to, and was sure that they would be too high and mighty, even to see that his bed was aired. For her part, she hoped that the reports were true, which were now getting into every honest person's mouth; and if he would listen to a woman's common sense, and at once go over to the other side-it would serve them quite right, and be the better for his family, and give a good lift to his profession. But his honesty was stout, and vanquished even his pride in his profession.

CHAPTER L.

PRINCELY TREATMENT.

THIS then is what you have to say,' cried my Lady Philippa, in a tone of little gratitude, and perhaps not purely free from wrath; this is what has happened, while you did nothing?'

'Madam, I assure you,' Mr. Jellicorse replied, that no one point has been neglected. And truly I am bold enough-though you may not perceive it-to take a little credit to myself, for the skill and activity of my proceedings. I have a most conceited man against me; no member at all of our honoured profession; but rather inclined to make light of us. A gentleman-if one may so describe him—of the name of Mordacks, who lives in a den, below a bridge in York, and has very long harassed the law, by a sort of Cheap-jack, slap-dash, low-minded style of doing things. "Jobbing" I may call it-cheap and nasty jobbing-not at all the proper thing, from a correct point of view. "A catchpenny fellow," that's the proper name for him-I was trying to think of it, half the way from Middleton.'

'And now, in your eloquence, you have hit upon it. I can easily understand that such a style of business would not meet with your approbation. But, Mr. Jellicorse, he seems to me to have proved himself considerably more active, in his way-however objectionable that may be-than you, as our agent, have shown yourself.'

The cheerful, expressive, and innocent face of Mr. Jellicorse protested now. By nature he was almost as honest as Geoffrey Mordacks himself could be; and in spite of a very long professional career, the original element was there, and must be charged for.

I cannot recall to my memory,' he said, any instance of neglect on my part. But if that impression is upon your mind, it would be better for you to change your legal advisers at an early opportunity. Such has been the frequent practice, madam, of your family. And but for that, none of this trouble could exist. I must beg you, either to withdraw the charge of negligence, which I understand you to have brought; or else to appoint some gentleman of greater activity, to conduct your business.'

With the haughtiness of her headstrong race, Miss Yordas had failed as yet to comprehend that a lawyer could be a gentleman. And even now, that idea scarcely broke upon her, until she looked hard at Mr. Jellicorse. But he, having cast aside all deference for the moment, met her stern gaze with such courteous indifference, and poise of self-composure, that she suddenly remembered that his grandfather had been the master of a pack of foxhounds.

'I have made no charge of negligence; you are hasty, and misunderstand me,' she answered, after waiting for him to begin again, as if he were a rash aggressor; it is possible that you desire to abandon our case, and conceive affront, where none is meant whatever.'

'God forbid!' Mr. Jellicorse exclaimed, with his legal state of mind returning. A finer case never came into any court of law. There is a coarse axiom, not without some truth, that possession is nine points of the law. We have possession. What is even more important, we have the hostile instrument in our possession.'

You mean that unfortunate and unjust deed, of a bygone time, that was so wickedly concealed? Dishonest transaction, from first to last!

6

Madam, the law is not to blame for that; nor even the lawyers; but the clients, who kept changing them. But for that, your admirable father must have known that the will, he dictated to me, was waste paper. At least as regards the main part of these

demesnes.'

'What monstrous injustice! A positive premium upon filial depravity. You regard things professionally, I suppose. But surely, it must have struck you as a flagrant dishonesty, a base and wicked crime, that a document so vile should be allowed even to exist.'

Miss Yordas had spoken with unusual heat; and the lawyer looked at her with an air of mild inquiry. Was it possible that she suggested to him the destruction of the wicked instrument? Ladies had done queer things, within his knowledge-but this lady showed herself too cautious for that.

'I know what my father would have done in such a case,' she continued, with her tranquil smile recovered; he would just have ridden

up to his solicitor's office, demanded the implement of robbery, brought it home, and set it upon the hall-fire, in the presence of the whole of his family and household. But now, we live in such a strictly lawful age, that no crime can be stopped, if only perpetrated legally. And you say that Mr. More-something, "Moresharp," I think it was, knows of that iniquitous production?'

'Madam, we cannot be certain; but I have reason to suspect that Mr. Mordacks has got wind of that unfortunate deed of appointment.'

'Supposing that he has, and that he means to use his knowledge, he cannot force the document from your possession, can he?'

'Not without an order. But by filing affidavit, after issue of writ in ejectment, they may compel us to produce, and allow attested copy to be taken.'

'Then the law is disgraceful, to the last degree; and it is useless to own anything. That deed is in your charge, as our attorney, I suppose, sir?'

'By no other right, madam; we have twelve chestfuls; any one, or all of which, I am bound to render up to your order.'

'Our confidence in you is unshaken. But without shaking it, we might order home any particular chest, for inspection?'

Most certainly, madam, by giving us receipt for it. For antiquarian uses, and others, such a thing is by no means irregular. And the oldest of all the deeds are in that box-charters from the Crown, grants from Corporations, records of assay by arms-warrants that even I cannot decipher.'

6

A very learned gentleman is likely soon to visit us. A man of modern family, who spends his whole time in seeking out the stories of the older ones. No family in Yorkshire is comparable to ours in the interest of its annals.'

'That is a truth beyond all denial, madam. The character of your ancient race has always been a marked one.'

And always honourable, Mr. Jellicorse. Undeviating principle has distinguished all my ancestors. Nothing has ever been allowed to stand between them and their view of right.'

"You could not have put it more clearly, Mistress Yordas. Their own view of right has been their guiding star throughout. And they never have failed to act accordingly.'

́Alas! of how very few others can we say it! But being of a very good old family yourself, you are able to appreciate such conduct. You would like me perhaps to sign the order for that box of ancient-cartularies, is not that the proper word for them? And it might be as well to state why they happen to be wanted-for purposes of family history.'

'Madam, I will at once prepare a memorandum, for your signature and your sister's.'

The mind of Mr. Jellicorse was much relieved; although the relief was not untempered with misgivings. He sat down immediately No. 608 (No. CXXVIII. N. s.)

R

at an ancient writing-table, and prepared a short order for delivery, to their trusty servant Jordas, of a certain box, with the letter C upon it, and containing title-deeds of Scargate Hall estate.

'I think it might be simpler not to put it so precisely,' my Lady Philippa suggested; but merely to say a box containing the oldest of the title-deeds, as required for an impending antiquarian research.'

Mr. Jellicorse made the amendment; and then, with the prudence of long practice, added, 'the order should be in your handwriting, madam; will it give you too much trouble just to copy it?' 'How can it signify, if it bears our signatures?' his client asked, with a smile at such a trifle. However, she sat down, and copied it upon another sheet of paper. Then Mr. Jellicorse, beautifully bowing, drew near to take possession of his own handwriting; but the lady, with a bow of even greater elegance, lifted the cover of the standing desk, and therein placed both manuscripts; and the lawyer perceived that he could say nothing.

over to

in

How delightful it is to be quit of business!' The hostess now looked hospitable. We need not recur to this matter, I do hope. That paper, whatever it is, will be signed by both of us, and handed you, your legal head-quarters, to-morrow. We must have the pleasure of sending you home in the morning, Mr. Jellicorse. We have bought a very wonderful vehicle, invented for such roads as ours, and to supersede the jumping car. It is warranted to traverse any place a horse can travel, with luxurious ease to the passengers, and safety of no common description. Jordas will drive you; your horse can trot behind; and you can send back by it whatever there may be.'

Mr. Jellicorse detested new inventions, and objected most strongly to any experiment made in his own body. However, he would rather die, than plead his time of life in bar; and his faith in the dog-man was unlimited. And now the gentle Mrs. Carnaby, who had gracefully taken flight from horrid business,' returned in an evening dress, and with a sweetly smiling countenance; and very nearly turned the Jellicorsian head, snowy as it was, with soft attentions and delicious deference.

6

'I was treated like a prince,' he said, next day, when delivered safe at home, and resting among his rather dingy household gods. 'There never could have been a more absurd idea, than that notion of yours about my being put into wet sheets, Diana. Why, I even had my nightcap warmed; and a young woman came, with a blush upon her face, and a question, whether I would be pleased to sleep in a gross of Naples stockings! Ah, to my mind, after all, it proves what I have always said that there is nothing like old blood!

Nothing like old blood for being made a fool of,' his wife replied, with a coarseness which made him shiver, after Mrs. Carnaby; they know what they are about, I'll lay a penny. Some roguery, no doubt, that they seek to lead you into. That is what their nightcaps, and stockings, mean. How low it is, to make a foreground of them!"