"You are welcome to Scroope," said the old man, receiving him with stately urbanity in the middle of the hall.

"I am so much obliged to you, uncle," he said.

"You are come to me as a son, my boy,--as a son.

It will be your own fault if you are not a son to us in everything." Then in lieu of further words there shone a tear in each of the young man's eyes, much more eloquent to the Earl than could have been any words.

He put his arm over his nephew's shoulders, and in this guise walked with him into the room in which Lady Scroope was awaiting them.