of England."

The party soon after broke up: Sir Wynston and his host, as usual, to
pass some hours at piquet; and Mrs. Marston, as was her wont, to, spend
some time in her own boudoir, over notes and accounts, and the worrying
details of housekeeping.

While thus engaged, she was disturbed by a respectful tap at her door,
and an elderly servant, who had been for many years in the employment of
Mr. Marston, presented himself.

"Well, Merton, do you want anything?" asked the lady.

"Yes, ma'am, please, I want to give warning; I wish to leave the service,
ma'am;" replied he, respectfully, but doggedly.

"To leave us, Merton!" echoed his mistress, both surprised and sorry for
the man had been long her servant, and had been much liked and trusted.

"Yes, ma'am," he repeated.

"And why do you wish to do so, Merton? Has anything occurred to make the
place unpleasant to you?" urged the lady.

"No, ma'am--no, indeed," said he, earnestly, "I have nothing to complain
of--nothing, indeed, ma'am."

"Perhaps, you think you can do better, if you leave us?" suggested
his mistress.

"No, indeed, ma'am, I have no such thought," he said, and seemed on the
point of bursting into tears; "but--but, somehow--ma'am, there is
something come over me, lately, and I can't help, but think, if I stay
here, ma'am--some--some--misfortune will happen to us all--and that is the
truth, ma'am."

"This is very foolish, Merton--a mere childish fancy," replied Mrs.
Marston; "you like your place, and have no better prospect before you;
and now, for a mere superstitious fancy, you propose giving it up, and
leaving us. No, no, Merton, you had better think the matter over--and if
you still, upon reflection, prefer going away, you can then speak to
your master."

"Thank you ma'am--God bless you," said the man, withdrawing.

Mrs. Marston rang the bell for her maid, and retired to her room. "Has
anything occurred lately," she asked, "to annoy Merton?"

"No, ma'am, I don't know of anything; but he is very changed, indeed, of
late," replied the maid.

"He has not been quarreling?" inquired she.

"Oh, no, ma'am, he never quarrels; he is very quiet, and keeps to himself
always; he thinks a wonderful deal of himself," replied the servant.

"But, you said that he is much changed--did you not?" continued the lady;
for there was something strangely excited and unpleasant in the man's
manner, in this little interview, which struck Mrs. Marston, and al