"Have nine years so changed me, that there is no trace left of your adopted son ?" "God bless me!" ejaculated the carpenter, rubbing his eyes, "can--can it be ?" "Surely," screamed Mrs.Wood, joining the group, "it isn't Thames Darrell come to life again ?" "It is--it is!" cried Winifred, rushing towards him, and flinging her arms round his neck,--"it is my dear--dear brother!" "Well, this is what I never expected to see," said the carpenter, wiping his eyes; "I hope I'm not dreaming! Thames, my dear boy, as soon as Winny has done with you, let me embrace you." "My turn comes before yours, Sir," interposed his better half.

"Come to my arms, Thames! Oh! dear! Oh! dear!" To repeat the questions and congratulations which now ensued, or describe the extravagant joy of the carpenter, who, after he had hugged his adopted son to his breast with such warmth as almost to squeeze the breath from his body, capered around the room, threw his wig into the empty fire-grate, and committed various other fantastic actions, in order to get rid of his superfluous satisfaction--to describe the scarcely less extravagant raptures of his spouse, or the more subdued, but not less heartfelt delight of Winifred, would be a needless task, as it must occur to every one's imagination.

Supper was quickly served; the oldest bottle of wine was brought from the cellar; the strongest barrel of ale was tapped; but not one of the party could eat or drink--their hearts were too full.
Thames sat with Winifred's hand clasped in his own, and commenced a recital of his adventures, which may be briefly told.

Carried out to sea by Van Galgebrok, and thrown overboard, while struggling with the waves, he had been picked up by a French fishing-boat, and carried to Ostend.
After encountering various hardships and privations for a long time, during which he had no means of communicating with England, he, at length, found his way to Paris, where he was taken notice of by Cardinal Dubois, who employed him as one of his secretaries, and subsequently advanced to the service of Philip of Orleans, from whom he received a commission.

On the death of his royal patron, he resolved to return to his own country; and, after various delays, which had postponed it to the present time, he had succeeded in accomplishing his object.
Winifred listened to his narration with the profoundest attention; and, when it concluded, her tearful eye and throbbing bosom told how deeply her feelings had been interested.
The discourse, then, turned to Darrell's old playmate, Jack Sheppard; and Mr.Wood, in deploring his wild career, adverted to the melancholy condition to which it had reduced his mother.
"For my part, it's only what I expected of him," observed Mrs.Wood, "and I'm sorry and surprised he hasn't swung for his crimes before this.
The gallows has groaned for him for years.