diminishing under the attacks of his comrade, who was cordially pledging his opposite neighbour, the family priest, in a deep cup of nut-brown ale. The two domestics stood gazing with fixed wonderment at the easy assurance with which the unbidden guest commanded their services; and began to augur somewhat suspiciously of the termination of this visit. But Sir Mark, on the contrary, appeared delighted with the frank joviality of the elder Hemsworth; and was listening with rapture to his humorous description of the new-fangled pastimes of the courtiers, and of the extravagant fashions of the court-beauties.

'I tarried at Tunbridge,' quoth he, but to bait my horses; yet, even in that short space of time, yonder scatterbrains,' glancing significantly at his nephew as he entered, 'found me time to lose half a year's rent of my goodly hop-grounds, in a game at shuffle-board with one of the idlest rufflers of the Wells-a good for little varlet of some distinction, named George Hamilton.'

Whether something in the countenance or bearing of his guests had hit the fancy of the veteran, or whether the lack of better company, to which he had long condemned himself, had rendered him little difficult to please, certain it was, that he not only graced his hospitality with friendly welcome, but even indulged in an unsuspicious freedom of speech that might have better become a more mature acquaintance. When the attendants had withdrawn, and the lamb's-wool, which in heavy pewter flagons graced the board, had begun its work of mischief upon heads ill-accustomed to such heavy potations, he added to the strictures of his unknown visitors upon the follies of the court, many bitter personalities upon its inmates.

Aye, gentlemen,' said the old man, warmly, 'I have, perchance, better reason than ye wot of to curse these new-fangled fopperies. To gild the waste of yonder prodigal, many a fair rood of the woodlands of Wildenhurst hath been turned into a waste. The proudest oaks of Kent once stretched their lusty

branches over the plains whereon ye galloped this afternoon without finding a twig on which to perch a chaffinch? And why, forsooth, do I dishonour my board with this yeoman's fare, but that old Mark Willoughby scorns to dole out Bourdeaux and Rhenish like a village suttler;-and that, were he to let them flow as they were wont in his father's hall, he might whistle to the waves of the Medway to come and fill his empty cellars! When the exiled prince, or his parasites, lacked a bag of pistoles, who so ready as the doting dunderhead of Wildinghurst, to mortgage acre after acre-to fell coppice after coppice-in order to teach them that there still beat one loyal heart in Old England? Who more forward to spill his blood in the cause of the Stuarts?-I left a limb, sirs, upon Worcester plain; and, after having been hunted like a beast during the Commonwealth, I dwelt here in solitude, to pinch and spare for the good cause, and so far I lacked not discretion. But I was fool enough to dream that old claims might avail me something in a new Court, and to fancy that a veteran cavalier might find grace in a royal saloon!'

But surely, sir,' interrupted the elder Hemsworth, his eyes glistening and his cheeks flushed, 'surely, sir, Charles can know nothing of these claims, of these unrequited services?'

How should he choose but know?' shouted Sir Mark, when the warm feelings of my clownish heart urged me to rush, something roughly perhaps, into the presence chamber, that I might gladden my old eyes with a sight of the restored sovereign, whom I loved with the same fondness 1 bear my own lady-bird--my daughter Grace-I was put back, like a forward child, by a tawdry princox of an usher, who bade me remember-God knows what! I should have smitten the hireling varlet to the earth, but that at the moment I heard young Rochester noting to one of his saucy mates, "the boorish breeding of Corporal Stump." My anger fell upon prouder shoulders than those of a lackey; and I rushed, cap in hand, to the king, and spoke my

indignation in such downright terms, that I was speedily placed in arrest, and in consideration only of my former services-my services!-I was permitted to retire to my country seat, to mend my manners; in order that the minions of Charles Stuart might undergo no farther insult.'

You spoke of your daughter, sir,' said Hemsworth, after a long pause, in which he appeared striving to subdue some painful emotion. Does yonder lovely portrait represent the Lady Grace?'

It is her mother's picture,' replied Sir Mark, in a calmer tone; and although a master-piece of Vandyck himself, and imaging as fair a creature as ever trod the earth, yet doth it not set forth one half the loveliness-the heavenly-mindedness of her child! In my days of prosperity, sir, I admired only in my Grace, the proud beauty, the accomplished heiress of Wildinghurst; but what is she now, what hath she not been, since poverty laid his iron hand upon my household! The soothing comforter of my peevish age; my cheerful, active companion! To serve me with sweet and patient duty, she hath forgotten the sports of her age,she hath renounced, one by one, the adornments of her lonely existence! She who was born and nurtured in affluence, hath given up state and grace to increase the stock of the old soldier's comforts. Page and bowermaiden, the palfrey that came neighing to her call,the jewels that were her mother's bequest-one, by one, have all been sacrificed. Those delicate hands that had scarcely moved, save over the strings of her gittern, have laboured for me with the activity of a yeoman's. housedame; and more than all-more than all,' continued the old man, in a broken voice, she hath done this, she hath done more than I can find breath to tell, with a heart that shrunk not from the sacrifice of its own fondest feelings. There is a fair lad among the crew of laced blockheads ye saw this morning, who would fain take her from her old father's heart, and place her in a station that becomes her; but seeing that my prayers cannot induce him to forsake the

king's household, she hath given up the tender affection with which she repays his long attachment, at my bidding. No! although the subdued glance of those bright eyes, the languor of that once light step, betray at every moment the sufferings she labours to conceal, Harry Brooke will never bribe my girl to leave the side of her poor, decrepid, doating father!'

But may not the health of the Lady Grace suffer under the influence of such feelings?'

'I sometimes fear it,' replied Willoughby, dejectedly; and I even long to call the boy back again, and make them happy before I am too blind to witness their union.'

Nay then,' exclaimed Hemsworth ;-but what he said, and what Sir Mark replied, and how the visit terminated, the curious reader must guess by the sequel.

What new frolic is astir this morning,'said Sir Harry Brooke to Hamilton, who had entered the apartment of his friend at day-break, and was busily selecting for his toilette the newest of his gala suits.

Nay! I know not; but we had orders yesternight to be in readiness for some especial ceremony by noontide. Some ambassador, perhaps, to deliver his credentials.'

'Impossible,-the Spanish envoy's reception hath been remitted until the return of the court to Whitehall. For many days past there hath been a rumour of strangers expected, and of apartments to be prepared in the Queen's own lodging. For whom, in the name of mystery? Nay,-Miss Jennings bewildered me but last night by her description of a wardrobe of exquisite fashion and richness, that hath been secretly collecting by her Majesty's orders, for a lady of her own person and stature. Read me the riddle, Hamil

ton-what plot is here?'

·

Time will resolve us, Harry. But now that thine outward man hath put on a more goodly seeming, let us to the presence. Stay! thy breast-piece is, even now, a thought too high, and the wave of yonder curl be

comes thee not. Cheer thee man! and put on a brighter countenance, for I predict a day of joy and merriment.'

At noon, according to his announcement, Charles entered the circle. A stranger was, indeed, leaning upon his arm-a stranger to all, save Hamilton and Brooke.

'Let me present ye, gentlemen,' said the king, looking with dignity around his astonished court, my friend and faithful adherent, Sir Mark Willoughby; to whom I am anxious to pay a long and reproachful arrear of gratitude and affection. I wish it were more frequently in my power to make so worthy an addition to your number.'

'I shall shortly, however,' continued Charles, smiling, ⚫ still further deserve your acknowledgments, by introducing to your courtesies a fair stranger, whom I would name to you as the lovely, the excellent Grace Willoughby, but that I shall shortly require your compli ments to be addressed to her as-the Lady Brooke.'

Sir Harry, casting a single glance towards the suite of the Queen, who at this moment entered the chamber, could no longer repress his emotions. Hastily advancing, he knelt to kiss the hand of his benefactor; and before he rose from his knee, the king had led forward a gentle, trembling girl, to whom Katharine was breathing the kindest words of encouragement; and having placed her hand in that of his page, ha bade them be happy together, rather with the warmth of a brother, than with the dignity of a monarch.

They were married on that very day; and as the bridegroom left the chapel, King Charles whispered audibly to George Hamilton, those who are inclined to blame Rowley and the rattlepate as pryers and listeners at Somerhill, must acknowledge that Master Hemsworth, of Manor-field, repaired their error. Trust me he will never forget those who, despite his whimsies and vagaries, still love old Rowley!"