guilty sinners, deserving of nothing but condemnation, and renouncing all dependence upon ourselves, we have fled for refuge to Christ, and in the very act of committing our souls unto Him-believing in Him as able and willing to receive us-trusting implicitly in His glorious work and finished righteousness, we are saved. Do you understand me, Albert?" "Yes"-slowly and hesitatingly-"I think so." "Then won't you begin at the beginning, my boy?" "Well, I'll try," said Albert, his eye flashing out with a feverish brightness; "there's nothing I should like better than to grow up like one of those good and noble philanthropic fellows we read of. Only fancy how nice it must be to establish schools, found charities, build churches, and visit hospitals! "In the meantime," said Herbert, smiling at his enthusiasm, "you must bear in mind that the surest way of doing good is to be good." The sudden entrance of Sir Edward Stanley rendered Albert's reply inaudible. "This is an unexpected pleasure," exclaimed Herbert, rising and greeting the new-comer in considerable surprise; "I thought you were from home." "I have only just returned," replied his friend, possessing himself of the nearest chair. "I hope nothing is the matter?" proceeded Herbert, hurriedly, and with a certain perturbation of manner which he vainly strove to suppress. "How is Lady Stanley, and—and your sisters?" "All quite well when I left them this morning," said Sir Edward, reassuringly; "they are still staying with our relations at Scarsdale, but I was obliged to shorten my own visit, as I find it is absolutely necessary that I should run down to Cornwall for a few weeks, and see how my new steward is managing the property. Won't you take pity upon my loneliness," he added, in a tone of earnest entreaty, "and go with me?" "I! my friend!" said Herbert, starting slightly; "how could I possibly Yes, do go, sir," interposed Gordon, who had made an errand into the room; "it will be a nice change for you." "You forget how little time I have," remonstrated Herbert. "There are still three weeks left," continued Gordon. "But I intended to spend them with you, James." "I know it, sir; still it would be extremely unreasonable of me to wish to keep you all to myself; and as Sir Edward is naturally anxious to have a little of your society before you leave us, I think you should devote the next fortnight to him." Herbert shook his head dissentingly; but finally their united arguments and persuasions prevailed, and he agreed to do as they proposed. I need hardly say he would never have come to this decision had not Sir Edward's information regarding his mother and sisters removed any scruples he might otherwise have felt, by showing him that-Ella being absent-there could be neither danger nor impropriety in accepting his friend's invitation. "That's right, my dear fellow," cried Sir Edward, exultingly, as soon as Herbert had yielded his consent. "Now, Gordon, will you see that he is ready to start by the first train in the morning?” "All right, sir; you may trust me for that," confidently returned the other. "Then I will set about my own preparations," said Sir Edward, rising to leave the room; "and- but, dear me, what is the meaning of this?" he asked, in amazement. "Albert crying! My dear boy," bending kindly towards him, "is there anything wrong with you?" "Of course there is, and you are the cause of it!" answered the excitable boy, dashing aside his tears, and looking up with sparkling indignant eyes. "Why should you come and take him away before his time? Do you suppose nobody loves him but you? I think it's very unkind of you?" Here his voice sank into a kind of pitiful quiver. Sir Edward stood for a moment quite perplexed. "We must consider others as well as ourselves, you know," remarked Gordon, in a consolatory whisper. "I'm sure you would be the last to wish to keep him here--" "Indeed, you are very much mistaken," interrupted Albert; "for I do wish him to stay here; and it's not so selfish as Sir Edward after all. He wants to carry him off to Cornwall, where he doesn't know a soul; but here there are hundreds who would be glad for him to remain." "Well, I seem to have got myself into a precious predicament," said the baronet, laughing good-humouredly; "and the only way I can perceive out of it is to suggest that you should join our party. What say you, my young madcap? will you go with us?" "I am not a madcap," replied Albert, in a serious, matter-of-fact voice, "and I don't think I can go with you." 66 Why not?" inquired Herbert, who was delighted at the idea of drawing the two closer together; "do you suppose Mr. Snapson would object?" "It isn't exactly that," was Albert's slow and hesitating reply; "but if I were to do it, it would look as if I really were selfish." "Never mind the look of the thing," said Sir Edward, encouragingly; "what does it signify if it's not true?" "But I'm rather afraid it was true," candidly confessed Albert; "for I believe I was thinking of myself all the time, though I did pretend to the contrary." A smile full of softness and sweetness played on Herbert's lips as, turning to the strangely anomalous lad, he said, "Now, Albert, run home and ask your father whether you may accept Sir Edward's invitation." "Shall I?" he inquired, in a tone which showed that though he was really desirous of following Herbert's advice, he felt that after what had occurred he ought to refrain from doing so. "Will it not appear mean?" "Nonsense," laughed Sir Edward, who was greatly amused at his unsophisticated manner. "Well, I'll be off," observed Albert, conclusively, after eagerly scanning Herbert's countenance. "What shall I say?" "Give my compliments to your father, and—” "Would you mind writing a line?" suggested Herbert, in a low tone; "Mrs. Snapson has such a marvellous respect for all these minor points of etiquette." "So be it, then," rejoined the baronet, slightly shrugging his shoulders. And sitting down at the table, he took the pen which Herbert put into his hand, and wrote a civil note to their manufacturing neighbour, requesting that Albert might be permitted to accompany them into Cornwall, and spend a fortnight with them at Sir Edward's seaside residence. In less than ten minutes a servant in a smart livery brought an answer to the effect that Mr. Snapson would do himself the pleasure of calling at the cottage in half an hour, when he would be able to give some definite reply to Sir Edward's polite invitation. Herbert instantly guessed that nothing less than a diversity of opinion between the two parents could have occasioned this delay; and, as he was really anxious on Albert's own account that he and Sir Edward should become better acquainted, he awaited Mr. Snapson's arrival with great interest. That gentleman's first words, when at length he made his appearance, showed them that whatever may have been his original intention, he was now prepared to yield a hearty assent to the baronet's wishes. With this exception, however, that the visit should terminate in a week instead of a fortnight, as he could not bear the idea of being deprived of his son's society for a longer period. At an early hour the following morning they started (James Gordon having voluntarily charged himself with Herbert's outfit, etc., was unable to accompany them), and reached their destination the same evening. A large and irregular-looking building, with gable ends and innumerable windows, standing isolated and alone upon a rocky eminence, within sound and sight of the restless ocean-this was Penruthven Mount, Sir Edward Stanley's estate. Though no definite plan seemed to have been adhered to, and no particular style of architecture adopted in its erection, there was a certain prestige and grandeur about the old house which showed that it had in past days been a residence of very considerable pretensions. A flight of steps from the outside led to a sort of terrace with a marble pillar at either end, and several curious little statues in the centre, each furnished with an ornamental vase containing some of the gardener's choicest flowers. Beyond, looking seaward, lay the pleasure-grounds, which had at first sight the appearance of having been formed on the steep base of the cliff; and still farther, on a narrow winding pathway, partially concealed by the jutting rocks which abound on that wild and rugged coast, conducted those who did not mind the inconveniences of so rough and uneven a road to the shore. Thither Herbert constantly betook himself. The silence, almost desolation, that reigned around him suited him well-it was precisely what he needed, perfect rest, both of body and mind. Nevertheless, as he lingered hour after hour amidst the granite rocks, gazing over the vast ungovernable sea, he learnt a variety of lessons, and drew deep draughts of soul-inspiring strength from the contemplation of its fluctuating and wonder-working billows. For two days after their arrival at Penruthven Mount Sir Edward had little time to devote to anything but business. He accompanied the steward over the whole of his large estate, surveyed the various alterations and improvements which had been effected in the property since last he had seen it, and gave instructions regarding its future management. Knowing, therefore, how many matters there were which required the young man's personal attention, Herbert was not in the slightest degree surprised when, on the morning of the third day, Sir Edward (having attentively perused a letter he had found near his plate at breakfast) rose hastily from his seat, and, with a few words of apology for his abrupt departure, and an assurance that he should return in time for dinner, left the room, and ten minutes later the house. CHAPTER LXXX. MR. SNAPSON IS AGREEABLY SURPRISED. "Ask what is human life-the sage replies, "Man's wisdom is to seek His strength in God alone; Who trusted in his own." Cowper. Cowper. On entering the drawing-room that evening, after taking a long and interesting pedestrian excursion with Albert, and making acquaintances in some of the fishermen's huts, Herbert started back in the greatest amazement. The colour instantaneously flushed over his face, and as instantaneously retired, leaving it several shades paler than it was before. His eye gave one quick pleasurable flash, his heart one throb of wild, tumultuous joy-then the gleam of gladness died away, a shadow, so slight as to be scarcely perceptible clouded his brow; he pressed his lips firmly together, and resuming his usual calm deportment went forward. He had not advanced more than a step or two when he was met by Lady Stanley. "I am delighted indeed to find you here," she said, cordially extending her hand, and regarding him with one of her tender motherly glances. 66 'Judging from Mr. Seymour's appearance, mamma, your feelings are not reciprocated," exclaimed the piquant Lucy, coming up to them, and smilingly offering her own hand. "How easily people are deceived!" thought Herbert, as, having replied to their civilities, he went through the same form with Ella. In her case it really seemed a mere form, for he spoke to her without even venturing a glance at her fair face, radiant with youth and beauty, and then turned abruptly away, and replied to the greetings of Colonel Lansmore. "I have neither forgotten you, nor your wonderful musical skill," said that gentleman, after presenting Herbert to his wife, a tall gaily dressed and somewhat sharp-visaged lady of about forty. Herbert bowed. 66 Now, uncle, I must beg of you that you will refrain from offering Mr. Seymour any compliments," remarked Lucy, in a tone of mock seriousness; "since last you met him, he has, I regret to inform you, greatly deteriorated." 66 My dear Lucy," observed Lady Stanley, reprovingly," you surely do not know what you are saying." |