former, saying, 'Oh, my lord, flee! thousands of rats—a whole army are coming! May the Lord forgive you for what you did yesterday!'

"For a moment the bishop thought, and then said, 'I'll go to my tower on the Rhine, I shall be safe there, they will never be able to swim against such a strong current.'

"He went as he said, and took refuge in the tower, which was built on a small islet in the Rhine.

"In the early morning, ere the sun had risen, he was awakened from his restless slumbers by a screaming close at hand. In terror he looked around, and saw on his pillow a favourite cat, which had the honour of being allowed to share his chamber. Instead of being relieved at the sight, as one might have expected, he felt more afraid than ever, for he well knew she would not scream thus without a cause. He could also hear another sound, as of little teeth gnawing at the outer walls, and knew that the countless rats of which his servants had spoken, were indeed come, and to punish him for his dreadful cruelty. Soon they found an entrance, and in unnumbered swarms pounced upon the unhappy man, and devoured him, picking the flesh clean from every bone.

"That is the legend of Bishop Hatto, and another version says they were mice, not rats, so his tower has come to be called the Mouse Tower."

"What a wicked man!" said Charlie.

"He was,

-a real wretch!" chimed in Arthur," and I say he deserved his fate; but is it true, guardie?"

"I can scarcely tell you, dear; it seems to me that something of the kind must have occurred, but the tradi

tions of those ancient times must always be received with caution. There is often a great deal of truth in them and often much of error. That Bishop Hatto committed a crime, and met with punishment, I am quite ready to believe, though I am unable to say how. It is not often such speedy retribution overtakes the offender; but if this be true, which I think very unlikely, it stands as a remarkable instance of the fulfilment of the proverb, Be sure your sin will find you out.' I have seen the Mouse Tower,indeed I once made a tour of the Rhine itself."

6

"I should so like to go," said Charlie, "I am so fond of beautiful scenery."

"It is well worth seeing," replied his friend; "I spent some little time at Rolandseck; Lady Menteith was there, seriously ill, and being a friend of the family, I stayed with her until the danger was past. Her cries at one time were pitiful to hear, even in her sleep; when we thought she was at rest, she would start up, and scream- "Charlie! oh, don't please don't take my pretty little Charlie!" I was deeply grieved for her,—it was a most trying time for us all; but she is better now, so far better as to talk of returning to England,"

Arthur here whispered something to Charlie, who, slipping from his place, ran to the sideboard, and brought thence a book, carefully wrapped in paper.

"I have been fortunate enough to get a prize,” he said, "and quite unexpectedly, too, though I tried hard for it." "I can readily believe that," replied the doctor, smiling into the fair young face, "I think you always do your best, do you not?"

66

No, I'm afraid I don't," said Charlie ; "at least, I am sure sometimes I have not, but this will make me."

"Well, it is a splendid book; I must congratulate you, my dear boy, upon your success,"

"Thank you, Dr. Leslie."

66 Are you fond of history?" asked his friend. "Very fond, indeed."

"Which of our English kings or princes, do you admire most?"

"Edward the Black Prince and Alfred the Great."

"I thought Richard Cœur de Lion was the favourite among boys."

"I admire his courage and military skill," answered Charlie, "but, he treated his father so badly he couldn't have been a thoroughly good man. I know he repented of it; but then-"

"You think his repentance was caused by his father's death, and that could that father have been restored to life again, and things have gone on as before, Richard might again have rebelled."

"I do think so," replied Charlie, "though I may be wrong. What do you think, Dr. Leslie ?"

"I agree with you entirely," said his friend. Why do

you

66

like Edward the Black Prince ?'

He was so very brave, and noble, and great, and at the same time so humble. I like to read about his treatment of the king of France, whom he took prisoner, how he waited on him, and when he brought him captive to London, how he rode on a small white pony, and the king on a grand horse. I like people who are great like that,

and yet humble and kind with it. Still, I think if I were to pick out one of our English sovereigns, it would be Alfred the Great."

66

Yes, and Alfred's example we can better follow than that of the Black Prince, I mean as regards his pious everyday life. He is, altogether, more useful to us in our daily round of duties. Few of us can show Edward's magnanimity; but all can imitate Alfred in his truth and unswerving fidelity to God, in his habits of punctuality and order, and in his patience and perseverance under difficulties. His generous forgiveness of his Danish foes, too, stands out as a noble feature of his noble character. I would recommend Alfred the Great to you both, boys, as a study for imitation. His virtues, both public and private, place him as high, if not higher, than any of those who, before him or after, have swayed the sceptre of England."

After a little more pleasant chat, the children retired to rest, and their guardian to his study, to journalize, as usual, the events of the day, intermixed with seasonable comments from his thoughtful mind.

To-night he wrote:

"Arthur was quite right in the remark he made some little time back. Charlie is indeed like the Menteiths, strikingly so. I cannot think it is a mere accidental resemblance. He is, as regards form and feature, so like young Guy Menteith, whom I saw at Rolandseck, that I could almost imagine it were he. I must wait until Lord Menteith comes, and then introduce the boy to his notice. If this Charlie were indeed the lost Charlie, what a crown of beauty and rejoicing would his restoration bring his parents! for such a son a king might be delighted to call his own."

CHAPTER XIX.

VIOLET.

HE next day found Violet, accompanied by her father, threading the streets of Norstone, in close proximity to Hall's Court, which they finally reached, and pained was the heart of the gentle girl at the destitution she there witnessed.

In a room, the comforts of which were even less than that where we first made the acquaintance of Arthur and Kate Melville, for no furniture did it contain barring a single chair, they found the objects of their search.

The neighbourhood itself was also less inviting, owing to the vicinity of quarrelsome neighbours, and dirty, equally quarrelsome children, who enlivened the open space in front of the dwelling with their brawls.

In answer to Mr. Lane's enquiries, the poor woman stated that her name was Talbot; that she was the widow of one out of three poor men killed on the railway several months ago; that, owing to her inability to obtain employment, they were now reduced to great straits; and that her furniture had been sold to defray expenses, with one