ear."

"I wonder what put it in my head," muttered he, in the same despondent
tone.

"Your own stout heart put it there. You were recalling what young Conway
was telling us about poor Jack's plans and projects; and how, when the
war was over, he 'd get the Sultan to grant him a patch of land close
to the Bosphorus, where he'd build a little kiosk for us all, and we
'd grow our own corn and have our own vines and fig-trees, seeking for
nothing but what our own industry should give us."

"Dreams, dreams!" said he, sighing drearily. "You may read the letter
now." And she began,--

"Sir,--By direction of Mr. Davenport Dunn, I have to
acquaint you that the Commissioners, having overruled the
objections submitted by him, will on Tuesday next proceed to
the sale of the lands of Kellett's Court, Gorestown, and
Kilinaganny, free of all charges and encumbrances thereon,
whether by marriage settlement--"

"I told you,--that's just what I was saying," burst in Kellett; "there's
not sixpence left us!"

She ran hurriedly over to herself the tiresome intricacies that
followed, till she came to the end, where a brief postscript ran,--

"As your name is amongst those to be reduced in consequence
of the late Treasury order regarding the Customs, Mr. Dunn
hopes you will lose no time in providing yourself with
another employment, to which end he will willingly
contribute any aid in his power."

A wild, hysterical burst of laughter broke from Kellett as she ceased.

"Isn't there any more good news, Bella? Look over it carefully, darling,
and you 'll surely discover something else."

The terrible expression of his face shocked her, and she could make no
reply.

"I 'll wager a crown, if you search well, you 'll see something about
sending me to jail, or, maybe, transporting me.--Who's that knocking
at the door there?" cried he, angrily, as a very loud noise resounded
through the little cottage.

"'T is a gentleman without wants to speak to the master," said the old
woman, entering.

"I 'm engaged, and can't see anybody," rejoined Kellett, sternly.

"He says it's the same if he could see Miss Bella," reiterated the old
woman.

"He can't, then; she 's engaged too."

The woman still lingered at the door, as if she expected some change of
purpose.

"Don't you hear me?--don't you understand what I said?" cried he,
passionately.

"Tell him that your master cannot see h