the emotions, which he was endeavouring to control, could no longer be repressed, — the tears rolled down his cheeks-he threw up his arms, tossing off the falcon into the air; and pressing Julia to his bosom, while his head reclined upon her neck, he sobbed aloud"My child! my child! my child !”

From that moment not a syllable more was uttered about a reference to his lordship's attorney. The old Earl was not less satisfied of his grand-daughter's identity, than proud of her charms and accomplishments; while Jocelyn's overtures towards a general reconciliation of the family, were now received with the most cordial assurances of reciprocal good-will and amity.

After having been entertained for some time with extraordinary splendour and festivity, the newly-married couple returned to the Moated House, when Jocelyn recommended his father, who had now received the large arrears that were due from the purchaser of Brambletye,

to appropriate part of the money to the rebuilding of the dilapidated mansion. But Sir John, partaking largely of the superstitious feelings then so prevalent, declared that the place was unlucky, that the curse of the black ghost was upon the walls, that it was ominous to re-construct a dwelling where two people had so lately met a violent death, and finally, that he was too old and infirm for so extensive an undertaking, and, moreover, very comfortable where he was. Brambletye House was accordingly abandoned to its fate; and the time that has intervened since its desertion, combining with the casualty and violence by which it was originally shattered and dismantled, has reduced it to its present condition of a desolate and forlorn ruin.

A letter from his old friend Tracy, to whom he had communicated his happiness, informed Jocelyn that the Queen still remained as well disposed towards him as ever, and would, if he still desired it, exert her influence to procure

How

his restoration to favour and some new appointment. But Jocelyn had seen too much of courts, to wish any return to such heartless and demoralising scenes. Birth and education had indeed made him in earlier life a staunch, not to say a bigoted and obstinate Royalist; but observation and experience had done much to qualify, and perhaps to exalt the feeling, by reducing it to the government of reason. ever he might honour the generous self-devotedness, the chivalrous courage, the inflexible attachment, which had induced so many of the Cavaliers to sacrifice their lives and fortunes in the cause of royalty, he could not reverence the blind principle by which they were actuated. He could not do homage to that unreasoning, abject, dog-like fidelity which levels man to the brute, by making him crouch to the earth and lick the feet of his master, and only increase his crawling submission as his oppressor becomes more cruel and tyrannical. According to his interpretation of the word, loyalty signified that

submission to the law, which, while it inculcated fealty to an individual for the good of the community, called upon every true patriot to withdraw his allegiance from the mistaken monarch who should attempt to subvert the constitution which he was appointed to guard. This contingency appeared to him to be rapidly approaching. From the avowed religion of the Duke of York, the next heir to the throne, as well as from the political measures of the Cabal, he saw clearly that it was intended to introduce Popery and arbitrary power; and, as he did not believe that the people of England would tamely submit to this double outrage upon their rights and feelings, he was not sorry to withdraw himself from the approaching struggle, at least until the arrival of the moment when he might contribute his individual efforts to the good cause, with some prospect of benefiting his country.

Under the influence of these impressions he retired to the Chateau in Normandy, which,

together with the ample estates that surrounded it, had been presented to them by the munificent Constantia; and its romantic situation, combined with the amiable and lively character of the French people, and the facilities of more frequent communication with their benefactress, attached him permanently to the spot. If ever the reader have travelled the beautiful lower road from Paris to Rouen, he has doubtless paused upon the heights that overhang Saint Ouen to admire the rich prospect before him, watered by the Seine, there a broad and ma jestic river, studded with numerous green and romantic islands. Upon those heights, and in full command of this picturesque and extensive view, stood the Chateau until the time of the Revolution, when it was purchased by the Bande Noire, and demolished for the sake of the materials. The stables, however, converted into a farm-house, and still exhibiting the remains of the Compton-arms over the Portecochère, are now in existence; and the name of

VOL. III.