with a little girl and a learned dog; and I can't help thinking that the
man, the girl, and the dog, must be those whom I saw and you seek."

MRS. CRANE.--"At Gatesboro'? is that far?"

OXONIAN.--"Some way; but you can get a cross train from this village. I
hope that the old man will not be separated from the little girl; they
seemed very fond of each other."

MRS. CRANE.--"No doubt of it; very fond: it would be cruel to separate
them. A comfortable home for both. I don't know, sir, if I dare offer
to a gentleman of your evident rank the reward,--but for the poor of your
parish."

OXONIAN.--"Oh, ma'am, our poor want for nothing: my father is rich. But
if you would oblige me by a line after you have found these interesting
persons; I am going to a distant part of the country to-morrow,--to
Montfort Court, in -------shire."

MRS. CRANE.--"To Lord Montfort, the head of the noble family of Vipont?"

OXONIAN.--"Yes; do you know any of the family, ma'am? If you could refer
me to one of them, I should feel more satisfied as to--"

MRS. CRANE (hastily).--"Indeed, sir, every one must know that great
family by name and repute. I know no more. So you are going to Lord
Montfort's! The Marchioness, they say, is very beautiful."

OXONIAN.--"And good as beautiful. I have the honour to be connected both
with her and Lord Montfort; they are cousins, and my grandfather was a