t melancholy event.

"Most deeply do I regret that a pressure of engagements will prevent
me from attending the last obsequies of my lamented relative; but
Mrs. Trevethlan Pendarrel intends to have the pleasure of calling at
Trevethlan Castle before many days have elapsed, and of making the
acquaintance of her nephew and niece.

"Fearing that circumstances may render the funeral an embarrassment,
and awaiting a satisfactory arrangement for the comfort of yourself
and your sister, I have ventured to direct my bankers, Messrs.----,
to honour the drafts of Mr. Randolph Trevethlan to the amount of
L500.

"Mrs. Trevethlan Pendarrel unites in the regard with which

"I am,

"My dear nephew,
"Yours very affectionately,
"P. TREVETHLAN PENDARREL."

Helen watched her brother's face as he read this effusion of sympathy,
and was almost alarmed at the change which came over it. He held the
letter at arm's length, and gazed upon it: the lessons of the
portrait-gallery crowded thickly upon him, and those of the library
were forgotten.

"May I read it, Randolph?" his sister asked, timidly laying her hand
on his extended arm.

"Read it!" he repeated. "Ay, read it, Helen; read it, and learn what
we have become! Well might our father say that a favour received from
Philip Pendarrel would disturb him in his grave."

"Was it not kindly meant?" Helen said, gently, after perusing the
letter.

"Is insult ever kind?" asked her brother in reply. "Think they the
spirit of our house is extinct, that they come in such hot haste to
exult over its decay? Helen, the letter gives me heart. Why have we
desponded of our scheme? We are not yet absolutely beggars. The last
moveable in the castle shall be sold, the last farthing spent, in the
struggle for independence. And if it fail, we will come back to our
cold hearth, and here, for the last time, our hearts shall beat
together as they do now. But, Helen, my dearest sister, we will not
fail."

"And this promised visit?" his sister said, after a pause.

"Mrs. Pendarrel must return as she comes," said Randolph. "She does
not cross the threshold of Trevethlan Castle while I am its
master.--Come, let us take a turn in the gallery."

Helen sighed as she took her brother's