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of every word of which I undertake to prove—and then we'll go up to town together."

"I need not explain to you how highly I appreciate your kindness; but believe me—"

"Not a word on that subject! I am more deeply interested in the vindication of Dr. Sound's character, than you imagine. Where can I communicate with you? Do you live a very great distance from this place."

"Scarcely four miles off! Borton Hall is my residence."

"Borton Hall! How very strange that I should never have heard of your living there!"

"I have, as I before observed, kept myself completely secluded."

"Well; that accounts for it, of course. But yours must have been a weary life."

"It has been, indeed. But, then, what pleasure could society impart to me? It could but inflict additional pain. I have not, my dear sir, for years and years, spoken so freely to any man as I have now spoken to you; but I feel as if you had lifted a weight from my heart, and as I now begin to doubt, I now begin to hope. I feel already a different man; and hence you may be sure that my mind is prepared for conviction. Nay," he added, as tears chased each other down his cheeks, "so much lighter do I feel, that I am about to solicit you company today. Come and dine with me? It is a long, long time since I entertained a friend; but say that you will come?"

"My dear sir, I will."

"Could you bring Mr. Sound with you?"

"Certainly! I will do so. Nay, I shall be most happy to do so. He need not know your object exactly. It would not be wise, perhaps, to tell that to him yet. You are a friend of mine: that will be sufficient. The subject of Somnambulism can be easily introduced, and you will then hear his views on that subject explained."

"My dear friend, I feel extremely grateful to you: you know not how grateful I feel! However, I may, of course, expect you at four?"

"I will most assuredly be there."

Mr. Howard took his hand and pressed it warmly, and, having received such additional assurances as could not fail to strengthen his hopes, returned to his carriage, and gave the word "home."

The reverend gentleman was now in a state of rapture. All, in his judgment, was perfectly clear. He had but to prove this to Howard's satisfaction—which he felt, of course, sure that he could do—and poor Mrs. Howard would be restored to her husband, who would, of course, in consequence, be once more happy—his own dear Eleanor would be delighted with the fact of her brother's character being vindicated—Sylvester's innocence would be proved to the world, and Lady Julian would return to Sir Charles, who would be in a state of felicity again. If there be a pure pleasure on earth, it is assuredly that of imparting pleasure to others, and the reverend gentleman—who imagined that he saw all this with the most perfect distinctness—experienced this pleasure in an eminent degree. Of what an immense amount of happiness did he then