fortunate as to obtain a situation, which, though not very lucrative, yet afforded him the means of providing the family with a more comfortable home; and as Mrs Lyddiard’s health rapidly amended with her improved circumstances, no further obstacle opposed the marriage of the young couple.  Amy’s only anxiety now arose from the uncertainty of her father’s fate; for she could gain no further intelligence of him than that he had fled the kingdom, having obtained a passport under a feigned name.

The ready and profitable sale of her paintings enabled our heroine to set aside sums for the liquidation of her father’s debts earlier than she expected.  Herbert volunteered to become the bearer of her first payment to Sir Philip Rushwood; and as his manners and appearance were those of a gentleman, he was shown by the footman into the dining-parlour, to wait a few minutes till his master was at liberty.  The young man started on entering the apartment, for he, to his astonishment, perceived it to be hung around with the pictures Amy had executed since her residence with them.  He was examining them more minutely, that he might be certain he was not mistaken, when the baronet appeared.

‘You are admiring those paintings, sir,’ the latter observed.  Herbert bowed assent.  ’They were executed by a lady who is no less distinguished for her virtues than for her beauty and talent,’ he added, his features glowing with animation.  ’And should you become a purchaser, you will confer an obligation on me.’

‘Happily for me, sir, I possess the fair artist herself,’ his visitor smilingly interposed.

Sir Philip drew back in amazement, and Herbert proceeded to explain the object of his mission.

‘I cannot take the money, Mr Lyddiard,’ the baronet returned with evident emotion.  ’The loss of a few hundreds is of no real importance to me; and do you think that I could suffer that noble young woman to toil incessantly to pay the debt of an unprincipled parent?  No, I am not so mercenary.  Miss Beaufort refused me as a husband, but she must allow me the pleasure of becoming her friend.  You need not be jealous, sir, of the title I am solicitous to assume, for it was for your sake that she rejected me; but whether as a maiden or wife, I shall deem myself happy in being permitted to serve her.’

‘I am most grateful for your kindness, Sir Philip,’ Herbert returned; ’but I cannot avail myself of it with respect to the money.  Mrs Lyddiard is, I know, too desirous to rescue, as far as possible, her unhappy father’s character from disgrace, to suffer a debt of his to remain uncancelled.’

Thus urged, the baronet reluctantly took the sum; determining, however, to return it through some medium which would not compromise the independence, or hurt the feelings, of the person he was so anxious to serve; and he had soon an opportunity of proving the sincerity of his professions, by using his interest in procuring Herbert an appointment far superior to that he at present filled.