he spur of the moment,
or thought over it for weeks. If I wished a thing, that was reason
enough for it to come out wrong!"

"And even were it all as you fancy, papa dearest," said Nelly, as she
fondly drew her arm round him, "is it nothing that these reverses have
found you strong of heart and high of courage to bear them? Over and
over again have you told me that the great charm of field sports lay in
the sense of fatigue bravely endured, and peril boldly confronted;
that, devoid of these, they were unworthy of men. Is there not a greater
glory, then, in stemming the tide of adverse fortune; and is it not a
higher victory that carries you triumphant over the real trials of
life, kind of heart, trustful, and generous, as in the best days of your
prosperity, and with a more gentle and forbearing spirit than prosperity
ever taught?"

"That 's nothing against what I was saying," said Dalton, but with a
more subdued face. "There 's poor little Hans, and till a couple
of clays ago he never knew what it was to be unlucky. As he told us
himself, his life was a fairy tale."

"True," interposed Nelly; "and happy as it was, and blameless and
guileless he who led it, mark how many a gloomy thought, what dark
distressing fancies, hover round his brain, and shadow his sick-bed! No,
no! the sorrows of this world are more equally distributed than we
think for, and he who seems to have fewest is oftentimes but he who best
conceals them!"

Her voice shook, and became weaker as she spoke; and the last few words
were barely audible. Dalton did not notice her emotion; but Kate's looks
were bent upon her with an expression of fond and affectionate meaning.

"There's somebody at the door," whispered Daltou; "see who it is, Kate."

Kate arose, and opening the door softly, beheld old Andy; his shrivelled
features and lustreless eyes appearing in a state of unusual excitement.

"What's the matter, Andy? what is it you want?" said she.

"Is the master here? Where 's the master?"

"He 's here; what do you want with him?" rejoined she.

"I want himself," said he, as with his palsied hand he motioned to
Dalton to come out.

"What is it, you old fool?" said Dalton, impatiently, as he arose and
followed him outside of the room.

"There's one of them again!" said Andy, putting his mouth to Dalton's
ear, and whispering in deep confidence.

"One of what? one of whom?"

"He's upstairs," muttered Andy.

"Who's upstairs, who is he?" cri