est
with a warm welcome.

The first cares of his reception, and some necessary order relating to
his comfort, being despatched, Tyrrel began to disburden himself of his
stock of particulars relating to the great and important movements of
the opposing armies in the south. He had left Cornwallis a few days
after the battle, and had travelled with post haste to Virginia, on a
leave of absence. He described minutely the state of things consequent
upon the recent victory; and it was with a tone of triumphant exultation
that he frequently appealed to his predictions as to the course of
events, when last at the Dove Cote. The conversation soon became too
confidential for the presence even of Henry, who sat greedily devouring
every word that fell from the lips of the narrator, and the further
interview was transferred to the library.

Henry hastened back to Mildred.

"The fellow is so full of politics, sister," said the eager scout, "that
he has not dropped one solitary word about Butler. He talks of the
province being brought back to a sense of its duty, and public sentiment
putting an end to this unnatural war forsooth! And his majesty reaping
fresh laurels on the fields of Virginia! Let his majesty put in his
sickle here--he shall reap as fine a crop of briers to bind round his
brow, as ever grew in a fence-corner! But Butler! Oh, no, he has nothing
to say of Butler. He is a cunning man, sister, and keeps out of the
major's way, take my word for that."

"Brother, get you again to my father, and say to him that I desire to
know what tidings Mr. Tyrrel brings us. Say it in his ear privately,
Henry."

The young emissary again took his leave, and, without apology, entered
the library.

Mildred, in the meantime, restless and impatient, applied herself to the
duties of the toilet, and, with the assistance of her maid, was soon in
a condition to leave her chamber. She had, almost unwittingly, and in
obedience to her engrossing wish to know something of Butler, made these
preparations to appear in the parlor, without thinking of her repugnance
to meet Tyrrel. And now, when she was on the point of going forth, her
resolve changed, and she moved through the chamber like a perturbed
spirit, anxiously waiting the return of Henry. She walked to the window,
whence, looking out towards the terrace she perceived that her father
and his guest had strolled out upon the lawn, where they were moving
forward at a slow pace, whilst their