"Kate has been counting first the hours, and then the minutes." "And so have you, mother." "Of course we want to hear all the news," said Mrs.O'Hara.

Then Neville, with the girl who was to be his wife sitting close beside him on the sofa,--almost within his embrace,--told them how things were going at Scroope.

His uncle was very weak,--evidently failing; but still so much better as to justify the heir in coming away.

He might perhaps live for another twelve months, but the doctors thought it hardly possible that he should last longer than that.

Then the nephew went on to say that his uncle was the best and most generous man in the world,--and the finest gentleman and the truest Christian.