avel a-foot," he said, with a sad
smile. "Do you think you feel strong enough to bear the visit?"

The lady could not answer for a few moments. Then, mastering her
emotion, she said, "Yes;" and, taking the speaker's arm, they were
moving off, followed by the younger pair, the whole party looking like
courtly foreigners, when, after tethering the horses to so many trees,
and leaving them in charge of the coachman, the stout serving-man strode
up to the elderly gentleman.

"Would your honour let me have a look at my old garden once again?"

"Yes, Nat, yes. Take a farewell look. It is a fancy to see the old
place in ruins, and have an hour's dream over the past. Then we will
say good-bye for good."

The man touched his hat, and turned off through the plantation, while
the party moved on slowly along the familiar old drive, the ladies, with
their eyes veiled with tears, hardly daring to look up till they had
nearly reached the great entrance to the fine old place, when they
started at a cry from the younger man.

"Father!" he cried. "What does this mean? This is your work--a
surprise?"

"Scar, my boy, no; I am astounded."

For there before them, almost precisely as it was of old, stood the
Hall, rebuilt, refurnished, bright and welcoming, the lawn, terrace, and
parterre gay with flowers, all as if the past had been a dream, while at
that moment Colonel and Mrs Forrester appeared with Fred, hat in hand,
in the porch.

Sir Godfrey Markham drew himself up, and his eyes flashed as he turned
upon the colonel.

"I see," he cried. "Usurper! Well, I might have known!"

"That this was the act of an old friend to offer as a welcome when you
should return," said Colonel Forrester, holding out his hand.

Sir Godfrey looked at the extended hand, then in Colonel Forrester's
eyes, and again round him in utter astonishment.

"I--I--came," he faltered, "to--to see the ruins of my dear old home.
How could I know that the man whom I once called friend--"

"Till all those dreadful changes came, and set us wide apart. Yes, I
heard you were coming down."

"Godfrey! husband!" whispered Lady Markham; "can you not see?"

"I am confused. I do not understand," he faltered, as he caught his
wife's hand in his.

"Lil, can't you shake hands with your old friend?" said Fred, as the
tall graceful girl looked at him half pleased, half shrinkingly.

"And your father has done all this, Fred?" said Scarlett, in an eager
whispe