he had with Talbot's mother, and the letter.

"I have seen that letter since I returned," she said. "It is at
Fairview Hall now awaiting you, awaiting its master like the other
things there,--and here. Shall we live there, think you, John?"

"Awaiting me! Its master! Live there! What mean you, Kate?" he cried
in surprise.

"Yes, yes, it is all yours," she replied, laughing at his astonishment.
"A codicil to her will, written and signed the day before she died, the
day after you saw her, left it all to you. It was to have been her
son's and then mine; and when she believed us dead, as she had no
relatives in this land she left it to you, 'As,' I quote her own words,
'a true and noble gentleman who honors any cause, however mistaken, to
which he may give his allegiance.' I quote them, but they are my own
words as well. You are a rich man, John, and the two estates will come
together as father and Madam Talbot had hoped, after all."

"I am glad, Kate, for your sake."

"It is nothing. I should have taken you, if you had nothing at all."

A young man ran down the little pier and into the house at this moment.
"Kate," he cried, "where are you? It is so dark here I can hardly
see-- Ah, there you are!" he ran forward and kissed her boisterously.
"You 'll have to forgive me, I could not wait any longer, Captain
Seymour. Father rode down the hill after Lord Desborough galloped by
me, and met me there, waiting. Oh, I was so glad to know you were
alive again! We felt like a pair of murderers, did n't we, Captain
Seymour? Father told me you were here, Kate, and then we waited until
now, to give you a little time, and then I could n't stand it any
longer, I had to see you. Father's coming too, but I ran ahead."

"Why, Philip," cried Kate, as soon as he gave her an opportunity,
kissing him again and laughing light-heartedly as she has not done for
days, "how you have grown! You are quite a man now."

"It is entirely due to Philip, Katharine, that I am here," said
Seymour. "He commanded the little brig which ran down to the Yarmouth
at the risk of destruction, and picked me up. Disobeyed orders too,
the young rogue. He brought me into Charleston, nursed me like a
woman, and then brought me here. I should have died without him."

"Oh, Philip," said the delighted girl, kissing the proud and happy
youngster with more warmth than he had ever known before, "promise me
always to disobey your orders. How can I t