views and aims. So they saw that he was one not unworthy of her, and listened with the deepest interest as he gave them a full account of what led him to conclude that Sarah was none other than the long-lost and tenderly-loved child of his valued friends Sir Edward and Lady Manton. And when he produced a photograph of her ladyship, they were perfectly satisfied that it must be a likeness, and a striking one, too, of their dear one's own mother.

'And now, Mr. and Mrs. Totts," he said, "can you sanction an engagement that Sarah may one day, if it be the Lord's will, become my wife, as we are already one in heart? I mean, if I can establish by unanswerable proofs that she is really the daughter of Sir Edward and Lady Manton. If I can do that, and they should be willing that she should be mine, can you both say 'Amen' to this, and give us your blessing?"

John Totts looked at his wife with eyes filled with tears, and she returned the look as tearfully. Then the worthy carver stood up, his whole frame quivering with emotion, and looking up to heaven with a smile through his tears, cried, "Yes, we can say Amen; and the Lord bless you both, Mr. Fellowes, for we can see that the Lord's hand is in this. So take our hearty sanction and warmest blessing; and take also, Mr. Fellowes, my sincere

thanks to yourself for the manly, straightforward, and feeling way in which you have acted towards us in the matter."

So all was peace in the hearts that were gathered together round the carver's tea-table that after

noon.

Sarah had one other duty to perform before her return to London. This was to speak a word to the squire on Robert Mason's behalf. So she called at the Hall on purpose. Mr. Milvert, his wife, and Clara had already been made acquainted with her engagement by Charles Fellowes himself, who got them to promise to keep the news as close as might be for the present. He had also mentioned to them the probable parentage of Sarah, and the grounds on which he had come to the belief that such was her parentage. All this had been done at the express desire of Sarah, and John and Mrs. Totts; for they knew it would get wind before so very long, and they felt that they could trust in the discretion and kindness of the squire, his wife, and Clara, not to make a public or premature disclosure of the matter. So when Sarah called on the day before she was to return to London, she received a warm and sympathizing welcome from all.

"Might I have a word or two in private with the squire before leaving?" said she.

Oh, certainly." So the interview took place in the library.

"I wish," began Sarah, "to say a word or two to you, Mr. Milvert, on behalf of Robert Mason, my dear father's apprentice."

"Well, and what can I do for him?" asked the squire.

"You know,” replied Sarah, "what progress he has made in his studies. Now, I am sure, from knowing him intimately, and from having watched his character and conduct, that he might become a truly useful and valuable minister of the gospel, if he were able to go to Oxford and become a clergyman. I believe him to be just cut out for that; and I know that his heart is given to his Saviour. Now, you have, dear sir, always taken such a kind. interest in the truest well-being of all the young people of Stanford and the neighbourhood, that I am sure any help you may be able to give to Robert Mason in the direction I have mentioned will be the means of encouraging and bringing forward one who will not disappoint his friends and helpers."

"I am glad," said Mr. Milvert in a kindly and serious tone, "that you have in this way mentioned this subject to me. I am quite of your mind about it, for I have marked Robert's progress in his studies with great satisfaction, and have always intended to

give him a lift to the university, as I feel confidence in his success. I think that he may soon try for a scholarship; and, if he get it, I will see that he does not want the means of going through the Oxford course to his B.A. degree."

"How kind of you, Mr. Milvert! I shall feel quite satisfied about him now."

With a light and grateful heart Sarah returned to London to gladden the hearts of Mr. Fellowes and his family, to all of whom her presence had become very precious.

A few days after her return Squire Milvert sent for Robert Mason, and had a long talk with him; the result of which interview was that Robert, with his master's full approbation, went twice a week to a private tutor provided for him by the squire, and was soon pronounced by that tutor quite ready to compete for a scholarship with a good prospect of success. While making these preparations the young man had not forgotten Sarah Jones's pleading with him to seek his happiness in trying to win some one else to follow the same Saviour who had sought and found Robert himself; and he did not try in vain,

CHAPTER XVII.

B

DRAWING THE BOW AT A VENTURE.

OBERT MASON had but few associates or companions; indeed, when he was not engaged in his ordinary manual work, he was so occupied with his studies that he could find little or no time for holding friendly intercourse with lads about his own age, nor was he of such a disposition as to attract the young working-men of the neighbourhood to seek his friendship or society. This was no trouble or trial to Robert himself, for lounging intercourse with idlers was not at all a thing to his taste; so that he was never to be seen on Sundays dawdling at the lane ends with the young fellows who would meet before it was time for service in gossiping groups, many of them-and among these even lads not yet in their teens-smoking short pipes or bits of half-used cigars. On whom, then, should he try his hand?