But yours, thank God! is assured.

How strangely Fate works! How little I thought, when I helped Celia to come to the Hall, that I was lending a guiding hand to the future of my son's wife.

Derrick, that same fate has been very good to you." "Don't I know it, sir!" said Derrick in a low voice.
They reached the Hall; and as they entered, they could not but be conscious of the stir of excitement there; the old butler and the other servants looked at them with an intense interest.

As the two men stood in the hall, waiting the summons to the sick-room, Derrick looked round him eagerly; but it was not at the subdued splendour surrounding him; he scarcely noted the indications of luxury and wealth, the wealth and state to which he was heir; he was looking and listening for some sign of Celia; and he was so absorbed that he started when his father touched his arm and directed his gaze to a portrait.
"That is mine, Derrick," he said.

"Do you see any resemblance to yourself ?" "Yes; I think--yes, I do," replied Derrick.
"I noticed it yesterday, directly I entered the hall, for the first time for many years." The footman came down to say that they might go up, and they ascended the broad stairs, Derrick still looking about him and listening; but Celia did not appear.