"He that now goeth on his way weeping, and beareth forth good feed, fhall doubtless come again with joy, and bring his Sheaves with him."-PSALM CXXVI. 7.

ND now all the inventories were made out;

and the travelling mails were packed; and a

few tapestries for hangings tied up in long rolls;

and the plate had been buried last night in a dry well, under the cellars of the old house. And the day of

departure drew nigh.

And when the morning came, Sir Thomas rofe betimes, very early, ere it was yet clear. And prefently he came flowly down the steps. He was clade for the journey, having his grey doublet and riding hofe and boots on, and a purple furcoat over his left arm. And fo he went into

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the room behind the Armoury; and, after a while, thence into the Armoury itself. And he took down his breastplate and a backpiece: and he chose out a prime Toledo blade and an Axe and two Dags.

And he ftruck upon the bell. And Davy came and helped him on with his large gilt fpurs, and buckled his armour: truffing up the points of his trunk hofen carefully. And the Knight was filent. Davy, too, fpake not.

And Sir Thomas went into the Hall, that old Hall, and looked about him. His eyes feemed wandering, yet were they often intently fixed. Now up at the roof, now along the walplate; then at the stained windows, or at the brackets. And again he would figh.

So he went to the board and took a stoup of wine; and he eat and drank. And Dame Elizabeth, she came in after awhile, and brake her faft fimply: and then William, but he could not swallow though he made affay. And fo he went back to his chamber, and fell on his bed

and wept.

And there was a found as of horfes in the courtyard: and Sir Thomas looked at his lady, and Dame Elizabeth turned towards her husband. They were both pale, fad !

And one said, "My lady's palfrey's at door:" and the menfervants looked humbly as they stood in the porch; and the women cried exceeding bitterly, chafing their eyes with kerchiefs and aprons, after the manner of maid-servants.

And Sir Thomas kiffed his wife; faying, "In the name o' God, Befs!" and he placed her heavily on her nag. Dame Elizabeth held her hands, both, by her fides. Many clung to her. You would have thought she was a Mother and a Sister ! No tear fell from her tender hazel eye. Yet you could fee her breaft heaving, and might know that the Vessel of her grief was wellnigh full, and would foon run over the brim.

"Patience and Sorrow ftrove who fhould express her goodlieft!"

And Mistress Dorothy, she fat up on a pillion behind Spigot, who rode on a great horse that had served in the wars, but was yet found enough, having been cared for always. And Mistress Dorothy had a large basket and a fhapeless bundle; for fhe carried with her fuch things as every one had forgotten to pack up.

And Sir Thomas looked round and called. But none knew rightly what he said: for his voice was choked

within him. And he faid again, "William!" "William!" And one

went to seek and William had washed his face; and he ran through the corridor, and jumped down the stairs. -three or four at a time and fo, coming out o' breath, vaulted into his faddle. Davy alfo mounted. And they all moved on: Sir Thomas with his lady on his left hand, and their fon a little behind them.

"It seemed Sorrow wept to take leave of them.”

And Sir Thomas kept his hat in his left hand, with his bridle-rein: and the gauntlet of his right hand lay across the holster. For he kept his hand free; many grasping it and kiffing it.

On they rode through the long Avenue of Limes, paffing the Chestnut wood and the Oak copfe, fo coming through the Beech forest on to the village.

"Lord! Sir Thomas!"

"What is't man?-who's this, Davy-a's ftrange!" "Your Worship, 'tis the minstrel."

"Oh, Selden! how is't man?—is a' drunk, trow'st?"

"My wife, your honour, Sir Thomas, hath brought me a boy at last."

"Gi' ye joy of him-gi' ye joy, man!"

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"I'm a' most out o' mind wi't, Sir Thomas."

"Good man! Gi' ye joy-gi' ye joy!"

"Now, now that your honour is going-an' God be wi'

ye, Sir Thomas-you and yours, my Lady and Master William !"

"God be wi' ye, man! Gi' ye joy-gi' ye joy!"

"Oh! Sir Thomas, an' ye'd condescend to name him.” "Well, man—well! "

"Do, Sir Thomas."

"Well! 'tis Holy Baptift's day, call him John, eh? and here's a Cardecue for the christening."

"Ah, John! fo a' will, John Selden! good, and thank

ye!"

"God be wi' ye, Selden, and with the boy! Wish ye joy; may he grow up a credit to you; an honour to his country, man! "

And they would alight at the Church: for Parfon Homily was about to read the Morning Service; being bound fo to do, even should none hearken. He was of opinion that " "Tis an idle argument, and dishonest to say none will hear, when in truth there be no voice." And, fince this day was Wednesday, there was a Litany; fo the Vicar