eded at once on board the _Falcon_, and was amply repaid for the
risk I had run by the reception I met with from my kind patron.
Aveline's welcome also was abundantly gratifying. I was on this
occasion much struck by the way in which Captain Rover regarded the
young lady.

"Yes," I heard him say to himself; "if it were not for the difference of
age, I could believe that one whom I know is now in heaven had returned
once more to earth. Strange! most strange!"

He did not give me an opportunity of inquiring what he meant. Indeed,
it was said only as we were about to leave the ship, and to proceed to
Sir Thomas Gresham's new house in Bishopsgate Street.

Lady Anne was at this time residing at Osterley. Sir Thomas therefore
remained at Gresham House only one day, in order that Richard's strength
might be somewhat recruited. We then proceeded to Osterley House, a
beautiful residence which Sir Thomas had lately purchased, ten miles out
of London. On the approach of our cavalcade, Lady Anne hurried down to
welcome her husband and son, as well as Aveline, with open arms. I saw
her countenance fall as her eyes rested on Richard. She, at a glance,
discovered, what his father had yet scarcely done, that he was greatly
altered; for he had become daily weaker since we left Antwerp. The best
physicians from London were called in, but they could give no hope to
the fond parents; and Sir Thomas became fully aware that he must be
prepared to lose his only son. The blow was a heavy one. My patron was
a strong-minded man, accustomed to deal with characters of all sorts;
but his diplomatic powers, his financial talents, could here avail him
nothing. He almost succumbed under the heavy sorrow. Even before he
expected, Richard breathed his last. He knew, however, that the same
Hand which had given him worldly prosperity had taken away his son, and
he submitted without murmuring. He said little, but he suffered none
the less. The pleasant house had become a house of mourning. Aveline,
with all a daughter's tenderness, endeavoured to soothe the sorrow of
her kind mistress; and when I next paid a visit to Osterley, I was
thankful to see that both my patron and his lady had regained their
usual tranquil manner. Sir Thomas had entertained the thought, common
to most men who have gained rank and honours, of building up a house.
The death of his son altered all his projects. He now began to speak to
me of the duty of public men