Rushbrook had been detained at Elmwood during all this time, more from the persuasions, nay, prayers, of Sandford than the commands of Lord Elmwood.  His uncle’s summons for him to join them in town was, therefore, received with delight.  Yet his joy was tempered by finding that it was to propose a matrimonial alliance that his uncle had sent for him; after a thousand fears, much confusion, and embarrassment, he at length frankly confessed his “heart was engaged, and had been so, long before his uncle offered to direct his choice.”

On hearing on whom he had set his affections, Lord Elmwood immediately left the room for the apartment where Sandford, Miss Woodley, and Matilda were sitting, and cried with an angry voice, and with his countenance disordered, “Rushbrook has offended me beyond pardon.  Go, Sandford, and tell him this instant to quit my house, and never dare to return.”

But Matilda impeded him, and throwing her arms about his neck, cried, “Dear Mr. Sandford, do not!”

“How?” exclaimed her father.

She saw the impending frown, and knelt at his feet.

“Do you know what he has asked of me?” he asked.

“No,” she replied, with the utmost innocence, “but whatever it is, my lord, though you do not grant it, yet pardon him for asking.”

“Perhaps you would grant him what he has requested?” said her father.

“Most willingly, were it in my gift.”

“It is,” replied he.  “Go to him in the library, and hear what he has to say; for on your will his fate shall depend.”

Like lightning she flew out of the room; while even the grave Sandford smiled at the idea of their meeting.  And whether the heart of Matilda could sentence Rushbrook to misery the reader is left to surmise; and if he supposes that it could not he has every reason to suppose that their wedded life was—­a life of happiness.

* * * * *

G.P.R.  JAMES

Henry Masterton

The son of a physician, George Payne Rainsford James was born in London on August 9, 1799.  He began to write early, and, according to his own account, the volume of short stories published under the title of “A String of Pearls” was written before he was seventeen.  As a contributor to the magazines and newspapers, his name came under the notice of Washington Irving, who encouraged him to produce, in 1823, his “Life of Edward the Black Prince.”  “Richelieu,” his first novel, brought him warm praises from Sir Walter Scott, and, thus fortified, James, who had had ambitions for a political life, determined to continue his career as a novelist.  His output of fiction was amazing—­he was the author of upwards of a hundred novels.  Of all his works perhaps his most characteristic is “Henry Masterton,” which appeared in 1832.  More solid and less melodramatic than his other stories, it abounds in picturesque scenes, and has that pleasant spice of adventure that makes for good romance.  He died on June 9, 1860.

I.—­When Charles the First Was King