shortly again confined, Mrs Percival
was brought to her brother's house, who, with his wife, did all he could
to soften down her grief; but she had suffered so much by the loss of
her husband, that when the period arrived, her strength was gone, and
she died in giving birth to a second daughter. Mr and Mrs Campbell of
course, took charge of these two little orphan girls, and brought them
up with their own children. Such was the state of affairs about ten or
eleven years after Mr Campbell's marriage, when a circumstance occurred
as unexpected as it was welcome.

Mr Campbell had returned from his round of professional visits; dinner
was over, and he was sitting at the table with his wife and elder
children (for it was the Christmas holidays, and they were all at home),
and the bell had just been rung for the nurse to bring down the two
little girls and the youngest boy, when the postman rapped at the door,
and the parlour-maid brought in a letter with a large black seal. Mr
Campbell opened it, and read as follows:--

Sir,--We have great pleasure in making known to you, that upon the
demise of Mr Sholto Campbell, of Wexton Hall, Cumberland, which took
place on the 19th ultimo, the entailed estates, in default of more
direct issue, have fallen to you, as nearest of kin; the presumptive
heir having perished at sea, or in the East Indies, and not having
been heard of for twenty-five years. We beg to be the first to
congratulate you upon your accession to real property amounting to
14,000 pounds per annum. No will has been found, and it has been
ascertained that none was ever made by the late Mr Sholto Campbell.
We have, therefore, put seals upon the personal property, and shall
await your pleasure. We can only add, that if in want of professional
advice, and not being already engaged, you may command the services of
Your most obedient, Harvey, Paxton, Thorpe, and Co.

"What can be the matter, my dear?" exclaimed Mrs Campbell, who had
perceived most unusual agitation in her husband's countenance.

Mr Campbell made no reply, but handed the letter to his wife.

Mrs Campbell read it, and laid it down on the table.

"Well, my dear!" exclaimed Mr Campbell, joyfully, and starting up from
his chair.

"It is a sudden shock, indeed," observed Mrs Campbell thoughtfully and
slowly. "I have often felt that we could bear up against any adversity.
I trust in God, that we may be as well able to suppor