Linda by degrees recovered her calmness, and as she did so, she found herself to be, oh! so happy.

She had never, never envied Gertrude her lover; but it was so sweet, so very sweet, to be able to share her sister's happiness.

And Alaric, was he also happy?
At the moment he doubtless enjoyed the triumph of his success.

But still he had a feeling of sad care at his heart.

How was he to marry a girl without a shilling?
Were all his high hopes, was all his soaring ambition, to be thrown over for a dream of love?
Ah! Mrs.Woodward, my friend, my friend, thou who wouldst have fed thy young ones, like the pelican, with blood from thine own breast, had such feeding been of avail; thou who art the kindest of mothers; has it been well for thee to subject to such perils this poor weak young dove of thine?
Uncle Bat had become tired with his walk, and crawled home so slowly that Alaric and Linda caught the party just as they reached the small wicket which leads out of the park on the side nearest to Hampton.