casioned the change of
residence, he was only informed that the state of Mr. Thorpe's health
had obliged him to seek perfect retirement and repose: and that there
were reasons at present for not mentioning the place of his retreat
to any one, which it was not deemed expedient for his son to become
acquainted with.

The day of departure arrived.

In the morning, by Valentine's advice, Zack wrote to his mother; only
telling her, in reference to his proposed trip, that he was about to
travel to improve and amuse himself, in the company of a friend, of whom
Mr. Blyth approved. While he was thus engaged, the painter had a private
interview with Matthew Grice, and very earnestly charged him to remember
his responsibilities towards his young companion. Mat answered briefly
and characteristically: "I told you I was as fond of him as if he was a
bit of my own flesh and blood. If you don't believe I shall take care of
him, after that--I can't say nothing to make you."

Both the travelers were taken up into Mrs. Blyth's room to say Farewell.
It was a sad parting. Zack's spirits had not been so good as usual,
since the day of his visit to the Agent's--and the other persons
assembled were all more or less affected in an unusual degree by the
approaching separation. Madonna had looked ill and anxious--though she
would not own to having anything the matter with her--for some days
past. But now, when she saw the parting looks exchanged around her, the
poor girl's agitation got beyond her control, and became so painfully
evident, that Zack wisely and considerately hurried over the farewell
scene. He went out first. Matthew followed him to the landing--then
stopped--and suddenly retraced his steps.

He entered the room again, and took his sister's child by the hand
once more; bent over her as she stood pale and in tears before him, and
kissed her on the cheek. "Tell her some day that me and her mother was
playmates together," he said to Mrs. Blyth, as he turned away to join
Zack on the stairs.

Valentine accompanied them to the ship. When they shook hands together,
he said to Matthew; "Zack has engaged to come back in a year's time.
Shall we see _you_ again with him?"

Mat took the painter aside, without directly answering him.

"If ever you go to Bangbury," he whispered, "look into the churchyard,
in the dark corner amongst the trees. There's a bit of walnut-wood
planking put up now at the place where she's buried; and it would