QUEENS OF ENGLAND. unknightly conduct into which he had suffered himself

-the result of a sudden outbreak of passion, not de- "perhaps you will give more credence to the lady's W signed a consideration which, we fear, will plead but little in his behalf with our fair readers in the present age.

"I have no secrets from Messire de Beaumont," ob- cerity; "our cousin Matilda has chosen a singular ruby from his own hand, the Duke of Normandy gave it to the priest in return. served the duke. messenger."

'Possibly not, beausire," answered Lanfranc; "but the noble maiden I represent may have. I can only follow my instructions, which are to deliver my message to your grace's ear alone."

"The Princess Matilda did not choose me," replied Lanfranc.

"Who, then?"

"My ecclesiastical superior in Bruges. Willingly "Alone !" repeated the lover of Matilda, "I do not would I have declined the office, had my vow of obedience permitted; for I cannot approve of a compact comprehend the motive of such privacy." in which the life of a human being is made a condition."

"I can only I am not here to

"Nor I," observed the messenger. obey the will of her who sent me. judge it."

ness?"

"By every saint in the calendar!" exclaimed Wil"What if I decline to receive it without a wit- liam, "but thou art an honest man! and the boldness of thy answer has done thee more good than injury in my favor. It may not be much now," he added, with a smile, "to stand well with the Duke of Normandy; for I have both the French king and my false cousin, Guy of Burgundy, leagued against me; but the day is not far distant when I shall crush my enemies!"

"In that case I return to Bruges on the instant." The Duke of Normandy paused for a few moments, to consider how he should act. At last he intimated, by a signal of his hand, his wish that Roger de Beaumont should leave him with the priest.

Roger de Beaumont, who was one of the most incurious persons in the world, left the cabin without a word.

The priest inclined his head with cold indifference, which seemed to say that the future fortunes of the 'Now, priest," exclaimed the impatient duke, "we speaker could affect him but little.

"And what may be the third condition?" demanded the duke.

"And now, beausire," said the latter, "return as swiftly as winds can speed you to your own dominions. It belongs to the ministers of Normandy and Flanders to conclude the rest."

William would have pressed upon the speaker proofs of his gratitude more solid than words, but they were respectfully declined. It is impossible to say whether this was calculation or indifference on the part of Lanfranc; in either case it served his interests; for the future conqueror of England was so struck by his manner, that he eventually elevated him to the highest ecclesiastical dignities in his power to bestow.

In compliance with the recommendation he had received, the duke weighed anchor, and, in less than an hour after the departure of Matilda's messenger, set sail for Normandy.

A

To be continued in the December Number

THE SPECULATOR:

A TALE OF MAMMON-WORSHIP.

are alone; your message Beausire," replied Lanfranc, "although the tongue BOUT five-and-forty years ago, Mr. Robert Oakwhich utters them is that of a poor priest, the words "Your grace has not yet acceded to the second," ley, merchant of Bristol, and otherwise a highlyare those of the high and puissant princess, Matilda observed Lanfranc. respectable person, was enjoying the last afternoon of Flanders. I therefore must entreat your grace, if Although William was of a most imperious, pas-remaining to him of his fortnight's respite from busiyou find aught in them to offend, to attribute the offencesionate nature, so strong was his love for his fairness among the cliffs and caves and downs of Freshto no malice or want of respect on my part."

“I promise,” said William, scarcely knowing what to think of the messenger's long exordium. “Thus, then, says the Lady Matilda to her cousin, the Duke of Normandy: Although he has dishonored his knighthood, princely rank, and the tie of blood between them, by an outrage on her person, which, in Flanders, a peasant would blush to offer to his equal, the princess not only pardons him, but, on three conditions, will become his wife "

"Three conditions!" repeated William, eagerly; "name them?"

cousin, that he submitted to what appeared to him the
caprice of her messenger.

"I agree to it," he exclaimed. "If there be sin in
it, the burthen must rest upon Matilda's soul not mine.
The third condition, man; the third !”

"That you swear to bestow the forfeit possessions of the culprit whose life your consort may demand, according to her pleasure."

I may freely promise that."

"A promise alone is not sufficient," observed the priest; you must swear; and I am empowered to receive your oath."

Lanfranc drew from his bosom a copy of the Holy

water, in the Isle of Wight. Mr. Oakley was at that time a man of mature age. More than forty winters glittered in his sharp gray eyes; and the glossy blackness of his plainly-cut, well-fitting coat, the spotless linen, his elaborately-brushed, broad-brimmed hat, and highly-polished cork-sole shoes, plainly announced a person with whom the world went smoothly. It had been for some time blowing hard, and the wind was momently increasing in violence; but Mr. Oakley, who was an enthusiastic admirer of sea scenery, with the help of a stout, gold-headed walking-cane, resolutely stood his ground, and watched, with apparently untiring interest, the white-crested waves dash themselves in fierce pursuit of each other upon the shingly shore. or, where checked and hurled for an instant back by the

"First, the Duke of Normandy shall swear upon the blessed Evangelist, never to abandon his claim to Evangelists, upon parchment-one of the treasures of the crown of England; but to follow it whilst he has the church to which he was attached in Bruges-and strength to wield a sword, one knight to bear his ban-placed it on the little cabin table, upon which the Rock-Needles, leap and hiss in fierce derision above the duke's night lamp was still standing. As he dic-summits of the vainly-obstructing masses, and sweep ner, and one man-at-arms to stand beside him "

‘Right joyfully,” exclaimed the duke. "Would I were as sure of a heavenly crown," he added; with presumptuous confidence, "as of the Saxon monarch's! Matilda is right she deserves to be a queen! The next condition, man; the next?"

"That you shall grant her the life of any vavasour, or vassal, either in your native dominions of Normandy, or any fief or dominion your courage hereafter may acquire."

66 "Whose ?"

on as madly as before. Now and then a fishing-boat, or a larger vessel, drove past, in imminent danger, to his unpractised eye, of immediate engulfment, or of destruction on the iron shore; and a feeling of comfortable self-gratulation simmered at the merchant's heart, as the comparison of his own safety with the danger of those on board involuntarily but vividly suggested itself. At length a rapid change in the driving clouds overhead, from light, fleecy strips to dark heavy patches, increasing in size and density, and the consequent quick darkening of the atmosphere warned him that the fitful gusts of heavy rain which struck his face so sharply were but the precursors of a violent land as well as sea-storm, from which it would be prudent to escape with all possible despatch. The light on the corner of the Wight shot forth over the fierce waters as he turned homewards, instantly follow ed by a vivid flash of lightning and a heavy thunder peal; so that even in the opinion of the lately-delighted admirer of sea and shore sublimity, a more wild, desoIt was one of those questions which either make or mar the fortune of a man according to his answer. late, and disagreeable scene than now dimly and fitfully presented itself, could scarcely be imagined. FortuA man less honest than Lanfranc would have endea- princess." He drew from his finger a ring-the same which nately, however, ne could not be, he thought, more than vored to pallate the crime of such a promise: he, on Little more the contrary, unhesitatingly denounced it as a sinful | Brihtric had returned to Matilda and presented it in about four or five miles from Yarmouth her name to her cousin, who looked upon himself, by than an hour's smart walking would take him there, and unchristian oath Drawing a rich and then a change of apparel and a cup of tea would

William crossed his brow in pious terror, as the speaker, after first kneeling reverently before the pre"A life "" repeated the duke. He fixed his eyes with a searching expression upon cious manuscript, which still remained upon the table, the priest, as he asked the question; but the counte-turned back the leaves, between which he pointed out nance of Lanfranc remained immovable.

"I know not, beausire," he replied. "Priest!" said William, “thou art, or ought to be, a man of God of wholesome counsel to the soul's weal! May I promise this thing? What if Matilda should demand the life of my nearest kindred. my wisest counsellor, or my truest friend?"

to the Duke of Normandy a small golden ostensory, in
form and size not unlike a locket It contained one
of those wafers which, according to Catholic faith,
priestly words and signs change to incarnate divi-
nity.

66

My task is accomplished" said Lanfranc; "would
that I could have declined it; but obedience is better
All that remains for me to do, is to
than sacrifice!
give your grace the token intrusted to me by the

• Humph!" observed the duke, struck by his sm that act, as her afñanced husband

remedy and obliterate all inconveniences. Thus selfassured and confident, Mr. Oakley strode manfully forward in his rugged, circuitous road, unconscious of the deadly peril lying in wait for him in that secure hour, and brief, undreaded path. While he is struggling along in the growing darkness and drenching rain, I shall have time to note down a few traits of his moral character, a knowledge of which is essentially necessary to an accurate appreciation of his past and future actions.

Mr. Robert Oakley, of Wine Street, Bristol, was known in that city as an Irish merchant-a designa

tion applied in ports trading largely with the sister country to persons whose exports and imports are confined to Ireland. As much less capital is required in

Well had it been for Mr. Robert Oakley had these
frequent trials and temptations taught him the highest
as well as the most useful of all virtues-humility-a
wise distrust of himself. Unfortunately they gene-
rated only arrogance of spirit-pride of heart; that
pride which ever goeth before a fall; and an inordinate
contempt for the feebler men whom he had seen fall
irretrievably on the slippery path where he had himself
so frequently stumbled. One of these unlucky ones
was his only brother, Richard Oakley, who, endowed
than himself, less wisely guided by marital counsel and
by nature with a quicker, a more sanguine temperament
advice, perhaps also more strongly tempted, had rashly
speculated with the fortune bequeathed him by his
father, five thousand pounds, the same sum that Robert
inherited, and the common result of such bold leaps in
such a commerce than the merchant-princes, whose
the dark had awaited him, bankruptcy, ruin! He had
enterprise embraces the whole habitable globe, can
married a lady of Belfast of the name of Neville, still
boast of, its chief men take a considerably lower mer-
cantile rank on mart and 'Change than their richer young, although a widow, and the mother of one child,
brethren. Especially, in those palmy days of flourish- a boy. She brought no other fortune to her husband
ing slave and sugar islands, the West-India merchant than beauty, innocence of heart, inextinguishable gay-
and proprietor stood high above his fellows, and no-ety of temper, and yielding gentleness of disposition,
admirable qualities, but, uncombined with the English
where more so than in the wealthy metropolis of Eng-
gravity and prudence which distinguished her quiet,
land. By no one were these magnates of commerce
thoughtful sister-in-law, helped nothing to prevent, if
indeed they did not hasten, a catastrophe which they
could, however, cheer and soften. Perhaps Mrs. Rich-
ard Oakley never so truly loved her frank-tempered,
facile-minded husband, certainly she never before exhib-
ited such thoughtful tenderness, as when, scantily
equipped for a new contest with the triumphant, mock-
ing world, they bade adieu to the proud city that had
witnessed their vain and brief prosperity, and subse-
quent deep humiliation, and went forth in search of
happier, if humbler fortunes.

held in higher, more envious reverence, than by Mr.
Robert Oakley. "How contemptible," he had often,
but more especially of late, bitterly reflected, "how
utterly insignificant are the poor twelve or thirteen
thousand pounds, not certainly more than that, which
the ceaseless industry of twenty of the best years of
my life has enabled me to scrape together, compared
with the colossal fortunes rapidly accumulated by men
who, playing with vast ventures, frequently gain more,
much more, at a single hit, than I do by a whole year
of plodding perseverance and patient care!" As these
"You must not imagine," said Robert Oakley coldly,
thoughts gloomed across his mind, the true respecta-
bility of his position, his solid, if not extensive wealth, in reply to his brother, who, with his wife, had, with
depending on none of the frightful chances which downcast looks and hesitating steps, entered his count-
frequently sweep away at a blow the Aladdin fortunes ing-house in Wine Street, "you must not imagine that
of great speculators, dwindled in his estimation into other men have not been tempted by glittering baits,
because they have not foolishly yielded to the seduc-
coarse beggar-wrappings-useful, indeed, for the com-
mon necessities of life, but only to be worn with tion. I, too, have felt, all men, I imagine, have felt at
humility, almost with shame, in the presence of the times, the feverish appetite for sudden, inordinate gain
robes and furred gowns of the really rich men of the

world.

:

With such repinings cankering at his heart, it is not to be supposed that Robert Oakley had not frequently cast about for one of those great and lucky ventures, one of those Napoleonic strokes, whereby immese results, the natural reward of a lifetime of ordinary energy and success, are secured by one fortunate turn of the commercial dice. He was ever looking out for such an opportunity, but none had hitherto presented itself sufficiently free from hazard to induce him, however momentarily dazzled, to boldly venture his fortunes upon it and up to the time we left him on the bleak cliffs of Freshwater, he had been able to boast that, though often sorely tried, he had successfully withstood temptation, a result he owed somewhat to his naturally cautious, nervous temperament, to his dread of awakening the wolfish instincts of greed he felt to be latent within him, and which, he knew, required to be but once alimented with suddenly, easily-acquired gold, to start into vigorous, untameable life; but more, much more, than to any physical or mental qualities of his own, to the affectionate and wise counsels of his excellent wife, who, ever on the watch for such aberrations, gently drew him back from the contemplation of the deceptive shadow gleaming in the faithless waters, to the beaten paths of common sense and the safe retreats of home and competence.

"Of Oatlands ?"

"Yes: horse-racing and other noble and manly sports will, I doubt not, some day or other bring the owner of that fine property to the dogs. This bill will, however, I am pretty sure, be punctually paid. If not, I have indorsed it, and the London agents of the bankers here shall have instructions to pay it for my honor."

Little more was said, and Richard Oakley, with his wife, passed out of the counting-house into an inner room, where not cold service, but the warm sympathy of a gentle, loving heart, awaited them.

Fourteen years had elapsed since this parting, and the afternoon when Mr. Robert Oakley, as upright, physically and morally, as ever, and now rich to the extent of about £12,000, found himself suddenly overtaken by a heavy squall of wind and rain on the stormbeaten cliffs of the Isle of Wight. The distance he had to walk proved longer and more difficult of accomplishment than he had found it in the broad daylight a few hours previously, and he gladly availed himself of the opportune shelter offered by a small tavern at Freshwater to rest and refresh himself before attempting the one or two miles which, he was told, still intervened between him and Yarmouth.

There was a blazing fire in the bar-parlor of the little

inn, tenanted only by a few comfortable, farmer-looking persons, and one or two unmistakable specimens of the half-seaman, whole-smuggler tribe, which at that period swarmed along the southern coast. Their conversation, a very animated one, ceased abruptly on the entrance of the stranger; but at the sight of his pinched features and dripping garments, evidently not those of a gauger,—and the company there assembled were firstrate judges on the point, they with rough but ready courtesy drew back from the fire, round which they had been seated, discussing war-politics and hot spirits and water, and invited him to approach and dry himself. He very readily complied with the invitation, and by the time the tea, which he had ordered on entering was brought in and placed, at his request, on a small "You, Robert, were always of a more reserved and table as distant as possible from that of the tobaccocautious disposition than I."

which prompts the gamester, whether he play on
'Change or at less reputable places; but I have striven
with and conquered the evil impulse. Feeble spirits,
unable to withstand such temptations, should flee from

them."

Possibly; still-”

Besides," interrupted the weeping partner of the broken man, "besides being married to so discreet, so good, so excellent a wife. Ah, Richard," she added with an outburst of self-accusing grief, "had you never seen me, this calamity might never have befallen you!" "Alice!" exclaimed her husband with reproachful tenderness-" Alice, this to me!"

"We had better not waste time in profitless regrets
for the past," said Robert Oakley. "I am glad for your
own sakes, as well as mine, that you have determined
on leaving Bristol. I promised you two hundred
pounds: my wife has persuaded me into making it five
hundred, and I do so on the express understanding of
course that this gift is to be a final one."

"Bless her bless her!" sobbed the grateful wife.
" But God has blessed her, and for her sake hers."
"Here are notes," continued the elder brother, "for
two hundred pounds and a bill for three hundred, due
in London the day after to-morrow, which I discounted
for Sir Martin Biddulph."

smokers, his chilled limbs, wet clothes, and ruffled temper were pretty nearly restored to their normal condition; and he felt quite prepared to resume his journey as soon as the abatement of the rain, doubtfully hoped for by the weather-wisdom of the room, should enable him to do so with prudence. Thus recomposed he sat quietly down to tea, and had just finished it, when his attention was sharply aroused by the noisy entrance of two rough fellows in shaggy jackets and "sou-wester" caps, pilots, it presently appeared, who had been out some days in the Channel, and had now brought up a schooner, bound from Shoreham to Poole, in the Yarmouth roads.

"A dirty night coming on, I'm thinking Bob Shelden?" remarked a fat, rosy-jowled person, seated cosily by the fire, as soon as the newcomers were fairly settled in their chairs.

66

66

Caroline, child, where is your mother?"

“In bed, papa ; she has been poorly all the afternoon, and has just lain down.”

It would blow the horns off a bull at the back of the the pale thought would flit dimly, if only momently, at the door. It was instantly opened, for he was Wight now, so it's to be hoped there a'n't much more across his throbbing brain-"save to his peace of mind, waited for, and had been for some time anxiously excoming on, or the Mary-Ann will part her cable in his moral life, his perilled soul!" Cummings, pected. He ran briskly up stairs. Yarmouth roads. Thanks. A light, Jack. This Brothers," he presently muttered, regaining the hurried 'bacca," he added, after indulging in a few delicious current of his previous thoughts: "Cummings, Browhiffs" this 'bacca is a very creditable article, con- thers, the richest house in Bristol! It will scarcely sidering it was never christened in a custom-house." ruin them; besides, they would do the same; who The husband felt a strong emotion of pleasure at this "Stow that, Bob Sheldon," interrupted one of the would not? Fair, quite fair; every thing is fair, they announcement; not, certainly, at hearing that his wife, party, hastily taking the pipe from his mouth, and say, in war and trade. A strange chance; she was whom he tenderly loved, was ill-suffering, perhaps ; jerking the point of it over his shoulder in the direc-reported lost or captured when I left Bristol, and must but that, in the comparatively obscure atmosphere of tion of Mr Robert Oakley's dark corner. "Stow that, now be quite given up. A rare chance! A glorious, her chamber, that mild, but searching glance, which he my hearty!" golden opportunity, which, once missed, could never had often felt penetrate to the very depths of his being, be regained. It shall not be missed!" and he quick-could not so well road his countenance as in the glare ened his already almost running pace towards Yar- of the sitting room. He immediately went to her, and mouth. He was soon there, and at once hastened to after a few affectionate inquiries, said, “What letters the little quay. It was solitary and silent, but for the have arrived?" howling wind and furious sea that beat against, around, and over it. Oakley was surprised that pilots and fishermen should all have retired so early; for, strange as it may appear, the tumult, the tempest of emotion by which he was internally tossed and shaken, had rendered him not only regardless, but unconscious of the still-increasing storm which raged without. He was reluctantly turning to depart, when a heavy, lopping step was heard, and presently a seaman, in enormAny thing at Guarnsey likely to be coming our ous jack boots, and carrying a lantern in his hand, way? was seen approaching. Oakley hurried to meet and accost him.

Bob Shelden paused in his agreeable pastime, and shading his eyes with his hand, pecred curiously in the direction indicated by his cautious friend. The examination must have been satisfactory, as he quickly and quietly resumed his pipe and the conversation.

"The gale was fortinately right aft, Farmer Gage; but just to give you a notion of what a screamer it is outside, we've been but little odds of six hours coming from Guarnsey to Yarmouth roads, besides boarding and bringing in the schooner over the bargain."

“That's a smart run, that is, Bob" observed one of the seamen; "but you had the tide from the Caskets." "Ay, lad, that's true."

"Well there's a sloop-of-war lying there with a prize she'll be bringing in to Portsmouth; and there's a large barque, that put in two or three hours before we left, loaded with rum and sugar. She's been knocking about for the last three weeks everywhere but where she ought to be, and last Sunday's paper, I mind, said she was supposed to be either lost or carried into a French port. She's had her bulwarks stove in, and has lost her boats, with some other damage; but the cargo, they said, was all safe and sound. She'll come in, I daresay, in a day or two."

"Can I be put across to Lymington ?" he eagerly demanded.

"Across to Lymington!" echoed the sailor. "Why, who that isn't running from the gauger or the gallows would risk crossing on such a night as this?"

"I," replied Oakley, "who am running from neither, would-will, if a seaman is to be found in Yarmouth who is not afraid of venturing a couple of miles in a capful of wind."

"A capful!" rejoined the man. "Let me look at "I don't remember hearing about her; where does you?" and he suddenly held the lantern up to his quesshe hail from?" tioner's features. "Ay!" he exclaimed, after a curious "She's the Three Sisters of Bristol, Captain Pauld-gaze, "I have not lived so long on the coast without ing, or some such name. Hollo, friend! what the devil are you upsetting and smashing the old woman's tea-tackle for, eh?"

In suddenly jumping up, Mr. Oakley had overturned the little table upon which the tea-equipage was arranged. He hurriedly apologized for his carelessness, took up his hat and cane, threw a guinea on the table, and strode hastily out of the house, much to the astonishment of the spectators-who, however, having ascertained that the guinea was a genuine one, charitably concluded that the stranger was a gentleman, though apparently rather crazed in his wits.

"It's very likely," said Bob Shelden, "that he has some concern in the barque I was mentioning. I saw Tom Hardy speak to him in the street at West Cowes, last week. You know Tom Hardy, Farmer Gage?"

"Ay, lad, for one of the cleverest scamps in all creation. He's lost the situation, I hear, he had at Bristol, and is back again, I suppose, to live upon his poor mother."

having at times seen such a face as that; though
never, thank God, in the shaving-glass! You must
go, I see; that's plain enough. Well, I'll take you
across."

“Immediately?”
"Of course."

"I will be here in five minutes."

66

"Several," was the reply; "they are on the dressing-table."

Mr. Oakley took up one, hastily broke the seal, and with his back towards the bed, feigned to peruse it. Presently he uttered an exclamation of surprise, and turned quickly round.

"From Danby, love, requiring my instant return. Riley, of Belfast, is likely to stop payment; and Danby urges that either he or I should go over by the packet, which leaves Bristol at eleven o'clock to-morrow forenoon."

"How unfortunate. Is the debt large ?" "Between six and seven hundred pounds." "Dear me! But you cannot possibly reach home in time."

"Not unless I start at once by way of Lymington, in which case I could easily reach Salisbury in time for the mail from Southampton to Bristol."

"But it seems to be blowing a hurricane. Surely there would be danger in venturing across to Lymington on such a night?"

"Nonsense, Mary; with the wind in the present quarter, the sea between the two shores is quite smooth."

Finally, it was determined that he should set out at once; Mrs. Oakley and her daughter to follow, on the day after the morrow, at their leisure. His preparations did not occupy more than a couple of minutes, and hastily embracing his wife and child, he hurried out of the house, and soon reached the quay. The boat was ready, and he was instantly embarked. The passage was a frightful one; twice the men seemed dis

Stop, stop! The fare: what do you think of pay-posed to give up the attempt, and would have done so ing for the risk of four men's lives—saying nothing of your own. It will require four hands to manage the boat in this wild sea."

"Name your own terms."

"Ten guineas: that is, ten one-pound notes and ten shillings, which, the law says, are equal to ten guineas: though they're not by a long chalk."

"Agreed: I will not keep you waiting long.” One chance of safety still remained to the selfrighteous, pride-blinded Pharisee, who had glibly boasted of his power to stand, undizzied and secure, on the edge of precipices so often fatal to better men than “I daresay. I'm thinking this gentleman was Tom's he: his wife, the good genius that had so often saved master. I'll ask, the first time I see him." him from mortal wreck, he must see her before setting “Very likely; and, as you say, concerned in the out on his hasty journey; and if she were to divine his barque: if not, he must be crazed."

but for the almost frenzied supplications and promises of their passenger, who appeared insensible not only to fear, but to the benumbing effects of the drenching rain and sea that almost drowned them where they sat. At last the boat shot into the small harbor of Lymington; the men were liberally rewarded; and a quarter of an hour afterwards, a postchaise and four started from the Angel Inn, and dashed at a rattling pace through the New Forest towards Salisbury. Mr. Oakley, occupied with eager calculations upon the extent of his probable gains, and the best, least suspicious mode of securing the prize almost within his reach, heeded not the passing of time; and, at the end of about three hours' smart ride, was startled by a sudden pulling up of the chaise, and the announcement that he had reached the entrance of the city of New Sarum. He at once alighted, dismissed the carriage, and walked quietly, for he found he had a full quarter of an hour

errand, he might be saved-or baffled, as in his present Crazed indeed! The words of the pilot had smitten mood he would have deemed it. He paused at the him with frenzy, and he hurried along towards threshold of his lodgings, in doubt of what excuse for Yarmouth, his brain reeling and his blood on fire with his precipitate departure would be least likely to awak-to spare, to the Red Lion at the further end of the the suddenly-awakened and maddening lust of golden her solicitude-to arouse her fears. He did not town, craftily anxious that the guard and coachman, gold in glittering, enormous heaps, to be obtained at remain long undecided; meanness, falsehood, duplicity, who knew him well, should not become aware that he no risk—“ No risk !" he almost shrieked, "save, save" proffered their ready services; and he knocked sharply had made any extraordinary effort to overtake the mail.

When the coach arrived, there was fortunately one in- lucky speculator, and, best of all, no one appeared in be sunshine and prosperity with the lucky merchant; side place vacant; he secured it, and early on the follow-the slightest degree to suspect that an enormous fraud and, as if to stamp the sudden fortunes of the Oakley ing morning, safely reached Bristol had been committed-a gigantic swindle-whatever family with unquestionable solidity and permanence, a the letter of the law might call it-been perpetrated' distant relative, who had scarcely noticed him when a Fortunate Robert Oakley. comparatively obscure person, now that he, according Yes; one! He could not look steadily in his wife's to the world's report, bade fair to become one of the countenance as he communicated to her the wonderful millionaires of the country, bequeathed him, by a will hit he had made, but in that momentary glance he had dated but a few days before death, the sum of £30,000, read, instead of joy, exultation, rapture, anxious be- in trust for his daughter Caroline, into whose absolute wilderment, vague, undefined alarm. He hastily possession it was to pass, with accumulated interest, changed the subject, after confusedly endeavoring to on the day she attained her majority. Never was underrate greatly the magnitude of his enormous there, everybody said, a more fortunate man. A seat gains. He then left the apartment, and a long time in parliament, a baronetcy-higher splendors even than elapsed before the subject was again mentioned be- that, but not to be named till clutched—already glit

tween them.

tered in the distance.

One, as yet distant, prophet death-note alone mingled and jarred with these gay joy-bells. The sympathizing partner of his earlier and better life-his gentle, true-hearted wife always was visibly descending with swift steps towards the tomb. She had long

the Three Sisters, the cost of freight and other im- her husband's sudden accession of wealth it had
portant items. A respectful tap at the door disturbed rapidly given way; and now, when it was already
him.
March, he was told by the physician, in the quaint
"What is it, Danby ?" he asked in an impatient, phrase of the country, "that his wife would never
querulous tone.

"Thomas Hardy desires to see you, si, immediately, on, he says, important business."

"Thomas Hardy! Have I not repeatedly given orders that the fellow should not be allowed to enter my premises?"

Never had the attire of Mr. Robert Oakley appeared more elaborately neat, more scrupulously spotless, nor his air and manner more placidly courteous and obliging, than when he walked gravely forth on the forenoon of his arrival to the place where merchants most do congregate. Salutations in the market-place, congratulations upon his return to home and business, were abundant, almost overpowering. Mr. Robert Oakley, nevertheless, bore his honors meekly and passed quietly on to the merchants' news-room, where, at that time of the day, he knew he should be tolerably sure of meeting with one of the firm of Cummings, Brothers. Vexatious that any cloud, however slight and tranHe was not disappointed. The eldest partner was sient, should obscure the brightness of such a joyous there, looking as gloomy as Mr. Oakley could wish. day! The momentary irritation was, however, soon No tidings of the Three Sisters had yet, it was quite forgotten by the merchant when seated a few minutes clear, reached Bristol. They exchanged a matter-of-afterwards in his private room, every faculty absorbed course greeting, and Oakley passed on. About ten in elaborate calculations of the value of the cargo of been in delicate health; but from about the period of minutes afterwards, Cummings, senior, having finished the perusal of the journals, rose to depart; and Mr. Oakley, suddenly remembering that he had an order from an Irish correspondent for some sugars, accosted him, and they proceeded together to the great firm's place of business. There the conversation, after a sufficient interval devoted to other topics, was adroitly turned by Robert Oakley upon the missing ship, and the enormous rates of insurance offered by the owners, and refused by all the underwriters. The firm of Cummings, Brothers, were often, generally indeed, except under peculiar circumstances, their own insurers-that is to say, they having an immense number of shipments, instead of certainly sacrificing the large sums they must have paid to effect so many insurances, preferred to set them apart to meet and cover any particular loss. This system they had generally found answer. They were now, however, and had been for a considerable time, of course, anxious to effect an insurance on the Three Sisters at almost any premium. This state of affairs was thoroughly known and understood by Mr. Oakley, and the ultimate result was, after much fencing and coquetting on his part, that he suffered himself to be persuaded into a transaction by which, for the present payment of £10,000, he purchased the entire cargo of the missing ship, should she not have been lost or captured. A check for £6000—all the present cash he had at his banker's-and a promissory note at sixty days for the balance were given with admirably-feigned reluctance to Cummings, Brothers. The bills of lading and other documents were handed to Mr. Robert Oakley, and the bargain was complete; Cummings, Brothers, glad to have saved so much out of what they had deemed a total loss, and Oakley secretly exultant with the rapturous conviction that the ambition of his life had by one fortunate stroke been accomplished, or, to speak more soberly, that the means were now within his grasp, by which, prudently brought into play-and he resolved to be very prudent-the colossal fortune of which he had so long dreamt might be swiftly and safely built up. Happy, fortunate Robert Oakley'

get up May-Hill." He was deeply shocked, and yet -so strangely was he already changed-the announcement was not wholly painful. She nad never felt, never expressed any, the slightest, satisfaction at the brilliant turn his fortunes had taken; and, worse still, had constantly refused, anxious as he had been to sur"True, sir; but he will this time take no denial. round her with luxuries of all kinds, to sanction the He bade me say he had an especial message for you slightest addition to their modest establishment—was, from a person at whose house you drank tea last in fact, far more rigidly economical than before; ap Thursday evening in the Isle of Wight." pearing to shrink from any contact with his new "Isle of Wight!" stammered Oakley: the indig-wealth as from pollution; while he dared not question nant expression of his countenance changed instantly to that of pale alarm. "Isle of Wight!" That, sir, is his message."

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her closely for her reasons. One only of the late events seemed to have afforded her pleasure, and that was the legacy to her daughter Caroline. For that bequest, though certainly the very reverse of mer cenary, she had expressed unbounded thankfulness Would not, then, her removal be a relief? almost, he

“Bid him—bid him come in," said Mr. Oakley, as he dropped back into the chair, from which he had risen to admit the clerk. "I-I will see him." Danby, in his turn, greatly surprised, withdrew, and felt, though he hardly dared whisper it to his own presently returned ushering in a tall, spare, shabbily-heart, a blessing? dressed man of about thirty years of age. He was Whatever it might prove, it was not long delayed not positively ill-looking: his features, separately con- Each succeeding day found her paler, thinner, weaker sidered, were well enough; but there was a sinister the frail covering of mortality seemed to fall visibly sneer about his thin, colorless lips, a fawning malig-off, and reveal in hourly-increasing excellence and nancy playing in his deep-set eyes, that rendered his beauty the stainless and gentle spirit panting to be sallow visage excessively repulsive. freed from its decaying prison-house. The patiently awaited and all undreaded hour, the calm evening, illumined and made glorious by the radiant purity of her well-spent day of life, at length arrived. The last and unmistakable summons was a sudden one, and to all but herself, startling and unexpected. Her husband was out. A messenger was despatched for him; and as he entered the apartment, the weeping daughter, who, in kneeling reverence, had been listening to her parting injunctions, rose at a sign from her dying parent, and left the room.

"You may retire, Mr. Danby," said Oakley. The clerk obeyed, and the merchant and his unwelcome visitor were alone together. The interview lasted about a quarter of an hour, at the end of which time the door opened, and both passed into the clerk's counting-house.

"Mr. Hardy will resume his situation to-morrow morning," said the merchant, hurriedly. Danby, perfectly startled, looked hastily up. His employer's face he saw deadly pale, and he appeared much agitated; he, however, repeated the order in reply to Danby's mute expression of surprise, and immediately turned back towards his private apartment, Hardy at the same moment passing out of the front door into the street

Happy, fortunate Robert Oakley!" echoed all Bristol, except, indeed, the astounded firm of Cummings, Brothers, when, on the fourth day after this The next morning the re-engaged clerk was early at transaction, the Three Sisters was signalled to have the office, well-dressed too, and rose quickly in the safely anchored in the roads' The incense which the apparent good graces of his employer, of whose raworld freely burns before whatever idol fortune chooses pidly extending business, and more or less successful to set up-noisy felicitations of envious hearts, mouth-speculations, he very speedily became the chief and honor, breath-was lavished abundantly upon the only confidential agent and adviser. All appeared to

"Robert," she said, softly addressing her husband, who displayed, and doubtless for the moment felt, much vehemence of grief; and her mild but solemn eyes rested with inexpressible tenderness and sorrow upon the chosen of her youth, the father of her child -"Robert, forbear this bootless grief, and listen as patiently as you can to the last few words I shall ever utter upon earth. I dare not hope that they may be immediately successful in inducing you to retrace the sinful and ultimately be assured-fatal path on which you have so blindly, so recklessly entered; but the