While his thoughts were drifting in this direction, the squire's letter was received; and the young man, who was something of a fatalist, accepted it as the solution of a difficulty.
"Sandal turns the new leaf for me," he murmured; "the new leaf in the book of life.

I wonder what story will be written in it." He answered the invitation while the enthusiasm of its reception swayed him, and he promised to follow the letter immediately.

The squire received this information on Saturday night, as he was sitting with his wife and daughters.

"Your nephew Julius Sandal, from Calcutta, is coming to pay us a visit, Alice," he said; and his air was that of a man who thinks he is communicating a piece of startling intelligence.

But the three women had already exchanged every possible idea on the subject, and felt no great interest in its further discussion.
"When is he coming ?" asked Mrs.Sandal without enthusiasm; and Sophia supplemented the question by remarking, "I suppose he has nowhere else to go." "I wouldn't say such things, Sophia; I would not." "He has been in England some months, father." "Well, then, he was only waiting till he was asked to come.