surgeon to Edward the Confessor,
and was killed at Hastings? I am afraid it isn't; and yet I should like
it to be true."

"I think every man would like to come of an ancient and honourable
race," said the Colonel, in his honest way. "As you like your father to
be an honourable man, why not your grandfather, and his ancestors before
him? But if we can't inherit a good name, at least we can do our best to
leave one, my boy; and that is an ambition which, please God, you and I
will both hold by."

With this simple talk the old and young gentleman beguiled their way,
until they came into the western quarter of the town, where the junior
member of the firm of Newcome Brothers had his house--a handsome and
roomy mansion in Bryanstone Square. Colonel Newcome was bent on paying
a visit to his sister-in-law, and as he knocked at the door, where the
pair were kept waiting some little time, he could remark through the
opened windows of the dining-room, that a great table was laid and every
preparation made for a feast.

"My brother said he was engaged to dinner to-day," said the Colonel.
"Does Mrs. Newcome give parties when he is away?"

"She invites all the company," answered Clive. "My uncle never asks any
one without aunt's leave."

The Colonel's countenance fell. He has a great dinner, and does not ask
his own brother! Newcome thought. Why, if he had come to me in India
with all his family, he might have stayed for a year, and I should have
been offended if he had gone elsewhere.

A hot menial, in a red waistcoat, came and opened the door; and without
waiting for preparatory queries, said, "Not at home."

"It's my father, John," said Clive; "my aunt will see Colonel Newcome."

"Missis not at home," said the man. "Missis is gone in carriage--Not at
this door!-Take them things down the area steps, young man!" bawls out
the domestic. This latter speech was addressed to a pastrycook's boy,
with a large sugar temple and many conical papers containing delicacies
for dessert. "Mind the hice is here in time; or there'll be a blow-up
with your governor,"--and John struggled back, closing the door on the
astonished Colonel.

"Upon my life, they actually shut the door in our faces," said the poor
gentleman.

"The man is very busy, sir. There's a great dinner. I'm sure my aunt
would not refuse you," Clive interposed. "She is very kind. I suppose
it's different here to what it is in India, here are the children in the
square,-