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horse, whose bit-bridle was studded with ivory, and the saddle and holsters richly embroidered with velvet and gold.

"I believe I have the honour to address the Earl of Northampton," said Jocelyn, taking off his hat and saluting him.

After drawing himself up with considerable dignity, putting one hand over his eyes, and measuring Jocelyn with a look of cold wonder, his lordship made a very slight inclination of his head, as if in assent to the conjecture.

"I am the only son of Sir John Compton, of Brambletye," continued our hero, "whose respects I am in the first place charged to convey to your lordship."

"You have not found the load very weighty, Sir, I apprehend," said the Earl haughtily; "and yet you must have been a long while upon the journey, for methinks it is now many years since the Earl of Northampton has been honoured with any notice from that inferior branch of his family."

"Public troubles and private misfortunes have hitherto prevented the performance of these courtesies, so regularly as he could have wished," said our hero; "but I hope my father's future deference will atone for all his past omissions ; and I flatter myself, that the intelligence of which I am the bearer, will effectually restore him to your lordship's good graces." Jocelyn then entered into a concise, though succinct, narrative of the circumstances that proved the birth of Julia, observing that Mrs. Walton was able to confirm them in every particular; mentioning his marriage before these discoveries had been made; and concluding his statement by informing his lordship that she had come to implore his blessing, and was waiting in a carriage at a little distance, together with the jewels and ornaments in which she had been attired, when she was stolen away from Brambletye House.

"A marvellous proper story!" said the Earl, with a sneer-" and cunningly enough devised; but the Earl of Northampton admits not any

claimant to assume the honours of his family, without better warrant of identity and right than any you have yet adduced."

"Will your lordship allow me to submit the vouchers to your inspection ?" inquired Jocelyn. 6. I dispute not the claim of the trinkets," replied the Earl" nothing so likely as that they may belong to my family; but it is not every female adventurer who may have possessed herself of these baubles that is to be received as my grand-daughter, or to be acknowledged as the heiress of the large fortune of Sir William Compton."

"Your lordship is the only man in England,” said Jocelyn, reddening with anger, "whom I would allow to breathe such an insinuation with impunity. By the munificence of a female friend, your grand-daughter is already enriched beyond my utmost wishes; they who have divided among themselves the fortune, to which she is entitled, may therefore retain it. I come not to claim her inheritance, but to demand her

full recognition by the family from which she sprang, to restore to yourself a grand-daughter of whom the first nobleman in England might justly be proud, and to solicit on her behalf, as well as on my own, the patronage and protection of the powerful Earl of Northampton."

Neither the spirited and liberal tone of this speech, nor its ingratiating conclusion, were lost upon the Earl, who exclaimed in a more gracious manner than he had hitherto adopted, "Where is this young woman? bring her hither: I can have no objection to see her; but as to any further proceedings relative to her claims, I must decline personal interference, and refer you to my attorney."

Losing no time in availing himself of this permission, Jocelyn returned to the carriage, and led back the agitated Julia, who was about to bend on one knee and implore the Earl's blessing, when he exclaimed in a harsh and peremptory voice-" Stand up, Madam! stand up, and raise your head, that I may peruse

your features."

He fixed a hand upon each

shoulder as he said this, and, holding her, at some distance, proceeded to scrutinize her countenance; while the falcon, retreating up his arm, fixed its large piercing eyes upon Julia, as if determined to examine her as intently as its master.

The stern suspicion which had at first imparted a peculiarly forbidding expression of incredulity to the Earl's countenance, gradually subsided into a look of tenderness and melting affection; sad and affecting recollections seemed to be passing through his mind; the muscles of his face relaxed, his eyes glistened, his compressed lips were drawn down at the corners, and he exclaimed in a broken voice-" My brave boy! my darling William! methinks I see him again standing before me. There is his merry eye, his smiling mouth, the very dimples in his cheeks, and his noble

His voice failed him, and he remained contemplating his grand-daughter in silence, until

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