r London.

"Going away!" she exclaimed; "I thought that you would remain here
always and help my mother look after the farm when Mr Pearson is away.
She much requires help. Oh, I wish that you were not going!"

"I hope to come back again soon, Elizabeth," he answered, taking the
young girl's hand. "You have made my stay here very pleasant, far
pleasanter than I expected, and I shall always remember you."

"And I, I am very sure, shall not forget you, Master Deane," replied
Elizabeth, looking up in his face. "I have never felt sad or dull as I
used sometimes to do before you came--and I have been very happy! My
only fear is that you will not recollect me as I shall you; and I want
to give you something to make you remember me. I have very few jewels
or any thing of value of my own, besides this ring. Please, then, take
it and wear it for my sake."

She took his hand, and put on his finger as she spoke a massive gold
ring of a peculiar make, with a chameleon and a vessel under full sail
engraved on it.

"It is all I have to give, but I entreat you to accept it, that you may
be reminded how grateful I am for the kindness you have shown me since
you came to live here!"

Jack did not like to refuse the gift, and yet he thought that he ought
not to accept it.

"I should ever remember you without it," he answered. "But it is too
valuable. Give me something of less cost, which I shall prize as much
for your sake as this, for I shall value whatever you give me."

"Oh, no, keep it!" she murmured. "It is the only thing I possess suited
for you. I have a locket and brooch and other jewels, but they are not
such as you would care for."

Jack could no longer resist the gift. He kissed her brow and thanked
her again and again, and promised never to forget her. He felt honestly
what he said.

Jack slept very little all that night, thinking of what he was to see in
London, and the adventures he might meet with on his journey there.
Whatever suspicions might have arisen in his mind he shut out, anxious
to have nothing to interfere with the pleasure he anticipated. The
light of Pearson's lamp, as it gleamed in his eyes when he came to call
him in the morning, aroused him from his sleep, and he found the horses
already at the door prepared for starting. The dame and Elizabeth were
on foot with breakfast prepared, and they gave him a friendly farewell,
as, following Long Sam's example, he stepped out to mount his h