him from that moment, gave up all her former habits to be with him,
sent the little boys to school, and fairly dragged him through the
trouble!"

"How long ago was it?"

"Ten years--yes, ten years. So far as ceasing to care a straw for a
heartless woman like that, he has got over it, no doubt; but it has
made a graver man of him for life, and I doubt whether, but for my
mother's accident, he ever would have married."

"Did you marry for your mother's sake, Julius, or only tell her so?"

"For shame, my Lady Mischief!"

"And do you think the fair Camilla returned with plans that she
finds disconcerted?"

"How can I tell? I have not seen her since I was a lad of
eighteen.--Ah! how d'ye do, Betty?" in a tone of relief; "you've not
seen my wife."

This was the first of a long series of introductions. Compton
Poynsett was a straggling village, with the church, schools, and
Rectory, ten minutes' walk from the park gates. It had not been
neglected, so that Julius had not the doubtful satisfaction of
coming like a missionary or reformer. The church, though not
exactly as with his present lights he would have made it, was in
respectable order, and contained hardly anything obnoxious to his
taste; the schools were well built, properly officered, and the