"And in that time, have grown to know each other thoroughly. Their marriage is a wise marriage, as was ours; and I believe and trust the blessing of God rests upon them."

"Her life promises as fair as mine," said Lady Menteith. "She will be, she must be, happy with Alex. I hope no cloud may overshadow their lot," and she clasped Charlie to her, and kissed the sweet, fair face. "But all that is past, as the Dean says; and I have the present, and future, so bright and hopeful, now that I possess my darling boy."

"Papa!" said Charlie, presently, "Pat goes by the six train, to-morrow morning, may I go and see him off? All the other boys are going."

"Certainly, my dear, if you wish it. I have no objection."

"And I will go with you," said Guy, "to take care of you."

Which arrangement, having received the sanction of his father, the young Guy prepared to carry into effect.

CHAPTER XXXVI.

PAT'S FAREWELL.

UNCTUALLY at half-past four, next morning, rose the two brothers, and having hurried on their clothes, ran off to Mr. Spenser's house. As they neared the farm, they caught sight of a chimney smoking.

'They say where there's smoke there's fire," observed Guy. "They are up in good time, I must say."

"Breakfast will have to be got ready," answered his brother. "You wouldn't have Mrs. Spenser start poor old Pat off to Ireland without any, would

you?"

"Faith, no!" returned Guy, laughing. "Poor old fellow! it would be bad usage."

"Pat!" shouted Charlie, throwing some gravel at the bed-room window, "Pat! it's time to get up!"

Presently, a shuffling might have been heard inside the room; the blind was pulled aside, and a rough, curly, black head appeared.

"What do ye want?" he called. "Faith! Prince Charlie! is it you? and is it time I was off to ould Ireland? Jack! where are my stockings ? You don't know; then you ought to know,-ye callant. Come, tumble out of bed, and don't lie there, blinking, all day. I say, Prince, climb up, and pay us a visit," pushing open the window.

DD

"Come along, old boy! here, make a ladder of this pear tree; that's it, faith! but ye'd make a capital sailor! here, lend me your hand, and I'll give ye a lift;" and taking Charlie's hand, he pulled him through.

Immediately appeared another head, and Guy's merry voice said: "Can you find me a berth?"

"Faith! yes! and half-a-score more, if ye like!" was

the answer.

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'Jack, won't our mother look astonished; she'll wonder who on earth we've got. Hurrah! I'm off to the ould country!" he shouted. "Hurrah for Ireland!"

By such time as the boys were dressed, breakfast was ready downstairs, and Mr. and Mrs. Spenser waiting.

"Good morning, mother," said Jackie, throwing both arms round his mother's neck, and giving her a hearty kiss. "I've brought you some visitors. Charlie came to call us, and Guy with him, and Pat asked them in."

"How did they get in ?" enquired the mother. "Through the window; climbed up the pear tree, something after the fashion that folks do, who visit the Convent of St. Catherine, only they're pulled up by a windlass, and have to creep through a hole in the wall."

"Faith and didn't Guy and Charlie creep through a hole in the wall?" said Pat, laughing. "I don't know what ye call a window, but a hole in the wall! " "Well, it is a hole," assented Jackie. "Now get your breakfast, or old Ireland you'll not see this day."

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"Hurrah for the land of the shamrock!" cried Pat. 'Faith, but we've got some real rocks, as well as shamrocks, and if ye take a trip to the Giant's Causeway, ye'll see

them,-columns without end,-enough to build half-a

dozen cathedrals."

"Have you breakfasted?" enquired Mrs. Spenser, of Charlie, with whom she shook hands warmly.

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No, we wouldn't stop; we were afraid we should be late," replied he, with a bright smile.

"Then come and sit down with us, and your brother, too; you are both quite welcome."

"Thank you very much, Mrs. Spenser," said Charlie. "I should like it; early rising gives one an appetite, I believe."

And very much they enjoyed it, after their walk, or rather run, in the fresh, cool air of the summer morning. "The pony-carriage is ready," called Mr. Spenser, at the hall door.

"So are

we, father!" shouted Jackie, in return. "Come along, Pat!"

"It's myself that's coming as fast as I can," replied the lad.

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Are we in good time, father?" asked Jackie.

"Yes, my son, very good time."

"Who will meet you at

"It is a very favourable morning for your journey," remarked Mr. Spenser to Pat. Liverpool ? "

"Papa! He's there now! Sure, and I'll be very glad to see him!" and the dark blue eyes gleamed at the thought. "He'll meet me at the train, and then off we go!"

When they reached the station, they found the boys, Dysie, Stanley, Arthur, Louis, and the two Everards, already there, and looking out for them.

After some trouble, a porter was found, a half-sleepy individual, who stared at the luggage and yawned.

"Faith, but I wish I'd some snuff," said Pat, "I'd be afther giving that fellow a pinch, it would wake him up."

The train was waiting, had probably waited all night, and Pat was springing in, when Guy exclaimed: "Well, you are a traveller!"

"Faith! and what's up?" exclaimed the lad.

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Why, you are trying to defraud the G.N.R.C. of their just rights."

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"I?" questioned Pat. Sure, and what do ye mean ? I never defrauded a creature of a pin, in all my life." "Well, you're doing it now, plain enough; you are trying to travel without a ticket," returned Guy.

Faith!" exclaimed Pat, and rushed into the booking

office.

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Sure, but it's myself that was going without a ticket at all," he said to the clerk, who stared hard on hearing the brogue, and harder still, when he understood the purport of his speech.

"You have a very bad memory," he answered.

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Faith, and it isn't my memory; I just forgot," replied Pat, to the amusement of the young man, and then raced off.

"Now, is all square?" he asked of Guy.

"Yes, I think so. It is a wonder you haven't made your will.”

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Sure, Jack has the one that was made about my tooth; it will do, ye shall have the lock. Good-bye! Sure, and I wish the old engine wouldn't squeal so, it's