"I should not be acting the part of a friend, were I to lead you to suppose that no disagreeable consequences will accrue to yourself from this decision," said Herbert, with deep seriousness.

"Thank you," was the curt reply; "forewarned is forearmed." "I hope it may be so in this case. Good morning."

"Good morning," responded Mr. Snapson, holding out his hand. "I trust your next visit will prove a more pleasant one for both parties." And, after accompanying him with ceremonious politeness to the hall-door, he returned alone to his library, full of bitter and uncomfortable reflections.

Presently he drew his writing-desk towards him, and having rapidly penned a short note, rang the bell, and ordered the servant who answered his summons to take it without a moment's delay to the factory, and deliver it to Mr. Greyson, the principal manager.

This done, he was about to resume his seat, when his eye inadvertently fell upon the paper, which Herbert had forgotten to carry away with him, and instantly opening it, he proceeded again to study its contents.

While Mr. Snapson was thus employed, Albert entered the room for the purpose of reminding him of some promise he had made; but seeing the stern and unobservant gaze with which his father regarded him, he took up a volume of engravings, and retreated to the other end of the room, intending to wait until he should seem more at leisure About five minutes elapsed, and then the library door was suddenly opened, and Mr. Greyson announced.

Mr. Snapson threw himself back in his large and softly cushioned chair near the fire, and eyed the new comer, a thin, wiry-looking middle-aged man, in evident displeasure.

"Read that, sir," he said, handing him the paper, which himself had been perusing.

Mr. Greyson promptly obeyed.

Now, sir, be good enough to explain the meaning of all this," pursued the gentleman, in a cold, hard tone.

"Well, sir, if you had asked me that question yesterday, I could not have answered it."

"And why not? who should know what is going on amongst the men, if you do not?" said Mr. Snapson, severely.

"Of course I was aware that they had applied to yourself on the subject of their grievances," replied Mr. Greyson, deferentially; "but as you informed me of the answer you gave them, I naturally concluded that they were content; especially as they never repeated their complaints

"And what is this but a repetition of their complaints?" exclaimed Mr. Snapson, hotly. "I cannot help thinking you are greatly to blame, Greyson," he went on, contracting his brows.

"Me, sir!" cried the astonished manager, with a deprecating gesture; "how could I help it?"

"You could at least have prevented them from applying to Mr. Seymour."

"I did not even guess that the meeting had taken place until today," observed Mr. Greyson," and that I discovered by the merest chance."

"The meeting!" repeated Mr. Snapson, impatiently, "what meeting?"

"The last decisive one, which was held on Sunday night. I suppose Mr. Seymour gave you all the particulars?"

"Indeed he did nothing of the kind," said Mr. Snapson, rather testily; "you surely do not mean to tell me these insolent scoundrels have had the presumption to hold meetings on the subject?

"It is all too true, sir," said the manager, in a grave, concerned tone;" and I very much fear that if (as I conclude is the case) you have sent, through Mr. Seymour, a final rejection of their suit, the factory will be closed to-morrow, for want of hands."

The factory closed-impossible!" cried Mr. Snapson, perfectly thunderstruck.

Mr. Greyson shook his head very hopelessly, as he continued,"The fact is, sir, I was just on the point of coming to apprise you of what I had heard, when I received your note; for I could not help feeling uneasy at the present aspect of affairs."

"Pray explain yourself!" said Mr. Snapson, regaining his usual manner, and fixing his keen, piercing eyes full upon him. "I confess I see nothing to justify your apprehensions."

"As I said before, it was quite accidentally that I learnt anything of their plans. I cannot, therefore, give you the name of my informant; but I believe he may be strictly depended upon."

"All this is nothing to the purpose," remarked Mr. Snapson, barely able to suppress his disquietude. "Tell me, in a word, what is it that has awakened your fears?"

"It seems that the hands have been for some time meditating a strike

"The ungrateful wretches!" interpolated Mr. Snapson.

The faintest shadow of a smile flickered over Mr. Greyson's lips; but ere Mr. Snapson could observe it, it had disappeared, and he went on, in a voice of profound gravity,

"Last Saturday they received their pay as usual, and left the factory, without giving the slightest hint that they had no intention of returning to their work on Monday morning. Such was, however, the case, and had it not been for Mr. Seymour they would assuredly have carried out their resolve."

Mr. Snapson winced at this allusion to Herbert, but he made no attempt at interrupting him, and Mr. Greyson continued,

"It was only on the Sunday afternoon that he became acquainted with their design, and although several miles off, he instantly procured a horse, and rode home, hoping he might be in time to prevent a meeting, which they had arranged to hold on the Dunford Moor."

"I presume you had these particulars from Mr. Seymour's own lips," insinuated Mr. Snapson.

"You are wrong, sir; I am totally unacquainted with that gentleman. It was an eye-witness, whose name, as I previously mentioned"I see, I see," responded Mr. Snapson, quietly. "Go on, sir." "With all his speed Mr. Seymour arrived too late to stop the meeting; it was, in fact, nearly over when he at length reached the indicated spot; and the men were in the very act of binding themselves by a solemn oath to stand by each other in the coming contest, and resist every effort we might put forth to induce them to return to their work.

"You may judge of the astonishment which his unexpected appearance caused them. After snatching the Bible out of the hands of

the man who was repeating the words of the prescribed oath" (a slight exaggeration on the part of Mr. Greyson's informant this), “he severely reprimanded them for their conduct; accused them of breaking the Sabbath; denounced the practice of uttering oaths, especially on such an occasion, and represented to them, in forcible language, the doubtful advantage they would gain by persisting in the course they proposed adopting. Then, finding them still obstinate, he promised that if they would quietly resume their accustomed duties the next morning, he would himself present their petition to you. This I see he has done; and I cannot help remarking" (referring again to the paper Herbert had left) "that he appears to have succeeded in persuading them to modify the terms very considerably. Several items which they laid great stress on before, are here omitted; and altogether the stipulations are more reasonable. I really think, sir," added Mr. Greyson, casting a furtive glance at the stern face of his companion, "we ought to be grateful for Mr. Seymour's interposition."

Mr. Snapson looked exceedingly perturbed. He almost regretted now having given Herbert such an ungracious reception; and while feeling the injustice of his own suspicions, he marvelled at the unselfishness and dignity of mind which could lead our hero thus to avoid all mention of what he had done.

Still, pride that formidable stumbling-block in the way of thousands-disinclined him to relent; for when Mr. Greyson, mistaking his silence for assent, ventured to suggest that it might be prudent to come to some amicable agreement with the disaffected workmen, he turned upon him in unmigitated wrath, and asked acrimoniously,— "Am I in the habit of recalling my verdict, Mr. Greyson?"

"Pardon me for the assertion," said the manager, respectfully; "but in this instance it will be little short of madness to stand out for such a trifle."

"Be it so," retorted Mr. Snapson, with a haughty flash.

"Then it is your desire, sir, that the factory should be closed to-morrow?" observed Mr. Greyson, who well knew his weak point. Mr. Snapson's countenance fell, and he seemed for the space of a minute or two to be intent on some mental calculation. "I do not see why that should be necessary, Greyson. A certain amount of policy is required-nothing more to bring these men back to a sense of their duty."

Mr. Greyson's face expressed the utmost incredulity.

"what

"If Mr. Seymour is unable to influence them in this matter'Mr. Seymour!" cried his companion, with asperity; an elevated opinion you have formed of him, and everything connected with him!"

"It is impossible for me to shut my eyes to the wonderful change he has helped to effect in many of the worst characters belonging to the factory (and, although I don't profess to know much about religion myself, I can't help thinking it an excellent thing for the lower order); those who were formerly idle and drunken in their habits, have become sober and industrious, whilst

"You are commencing a regular dissertation, Greyson," said Mr. Snapson, smiling disdainfully; "but it strikes me that your language is rather inconsistent, for if Mr. Seymour had really done so much good among these men, would they be so ready to join in this disgraceful business?'

"In such a case," replied Mr. Greyson, hesitatingly, "they persuade themselves that they are fully justified in considering their own interests."

66

"Justified, indeed!" began Mr. Snapson, in accents of warm indignation; but ere he could proceed with his sentence, he was startled by hearing a quick, excited voice at his elbow, saying, Papa, you must give in!" And, looking hurriedly round, he saw Albert standing beside his chair, with bright, sparkling eyes, and a deep red flush upon each cheek.

CHAPTER LV.

MR. SNAPSON COMPELLED TO GIVE IN.

"Where Piety and Policy go hand in hand, there war shall be just, and peace honourable."

QUARLES. "We cannot expect too little from man, or too much from God." MATTHEW HENRY.

"The poorer class,

Taxed with oppressive toil whilst freemen called,
Were literally slaves in all but name,

And groaned beneath their burdens."

LEASK.

WHY, Albert, my boy, where did you come from?” inquired his father, in conscious embarrassment.

But the lad's sole reply to this question was a repetition of his former exclamation,

"Papa, you must give in!"

"Nonsense," returned Mr. Snapson, laying his hand caressingly upon his head, and attempting to speak with playful indifference; "what can you know about such matters?"

"I know one thing," he answered, energetically.

"Do you?" said his father, gazing absently into the fire.

"I am very sure that we can't go wrong in following Mr. Seymour's advice."

Mr. Snapson suppressed an exclamation of impatience, but an involuntary frown wrinkled his forehead.

"Depend upon it," continued Albert, confidentially, "he would never recommend anything that is not perfectly fair and reasonable." "It is no concern of his," hastily interjected Mr. Snapson.

"Ah, but he is such a fine, unselfish fellow," was Albert's enthusiastic reply.

"No doubt, no doubt," said Mr. Snapson, ironically; adding with irrepressible bitterness, while darting a significant glance at Mr. Greyson, "at all events, he seems an adept in the art of captivation." "I don't know what you mean,” replied Albert, innocently.

A slight grimace, something between a smile and a frown, distorted Mr. Snapson's countenance, as he turned his eyes again upon the glowing coals, gloomy, and full of thought.

Meanwhile Albert, holding out his hand for the document, the contents of which had caused his father so much umbrage, and which Mr. Greyson continued to keep possession of, mutely signified his wish to read it for himself.

The manager instantly relinquished it, inwardly pleased at the decided manner in which he had delivered his opinion-his (Mr. Greyson's) inclination disposing him to accept the terms proposed by Herbert; not from any feeling of sympathy with the workmen, or desire to benefit them, but because he did not care to incur the trouble, inconveniences, and pecuniary loss which might possibly