to see him amuse himself at odd times with making these copies; and now it has come out."

"True, Mrs. Grummerly," said John; "and I heartily rejoice with you in Jim's success and prospects.'

And genuine success it proved. Through the squire's kindness, the young man was duly instructed in the engraver's art, and soon became a proficient in it; and with the squire for a patron, was seldom unemployed, and was able to earn an excellent living.

At length the time came for Robert Mason's grand effort. At the examination for the Oxford scholarship, Robert's name came out at the head, and he was highly complimented by the examiners; and as he began, so he continued his course, taking high honours at the conclusion of it, and duly obtaining his B.A. degree. But long before this consummation took place, he had, in one of his vacations, a most important conversation with James Grummerly, the substance of which we must now record. Mr. James, as he was now pretty generally spoken of, was very anxious to show his gratitude to Robert Mason for the good service he had done him, first and best in leading him to true peace, and next in being the means of his becoming an engraver. So one lovely evening in Robert's second long vacation,

while the two young men were walking together near the carver's dwelling, Jim said abruptly,—

"Robert, I've a great secret to tell you, which I know will interest you very much; it's about Sarah Jones."

His companion looked both surprised and distressed, but merely said, "Well, Jim."

Now James Grummerly had not failed to observe in former days many little things which showed him unmistakably how Robert's heart was given to Sarah. He was also now, of course, aware of Sarah's engagement to Mr. Charles Fellowes; but he felt, nevertheless, that this engagement would not destroy Robert's interest in Sarah, and in anything that concerned her welfare. So on the present occasion he followed up his first remark by saying, "Robert, I have good reason for believing that Sarah Jones is not what she outwardly appears to be."

'Everybody knows that," replied the other. "But how does everybody know it, Robert?”" "Well, then, Jim, what cause have you to know it better than other people?"

"This is just what I want to tell you, Robert. You have been so kind to me that I think I ought to let you know what I know, as I am sure you are about the best person to make use of the knowledge; and it will be, I am certain, a pleasure to you, if

by me- -at which time our baby was just a month old—I have no doubt that he persuaded Mrs. Bosworth to take herself off with the child, and arranged all matters for her safe journey to England. At any rate, she and the baby both disappeared, and we never saw either of them again. Giacomo also contrived to get away, and I could never get at him any more. It seems pretty clear to me now how matters have gone on since then. You will have heard that a portion of our poor child's dress was brought to us-a pink rosette; and a story was told us by the person who brought it to us, about her having seen the body of an infant floating down the river. We believe this story to have been merely a blind, devised by the miserable Giacomo; and we are still of the opinion that the nurse is in this country now, if she is still living, as no search made by the police abroad could trace her or anything about her. She has evidently been in league with some one in introducing our beloved infant into Mr. Totts's family; and good reason we have to bless God that she came into such hands. We never thought that the nurse would deliberately make away with the child, or suffer any one else to do so; for she was passionately fond of it at least so it seemed to us. So she took the course she did; which was one that satisfied Giacomo's revengeful

spirit, and yet spared the baby's life.

The mystery, then, is in a great measure cleared up, and we have our own long-lost one in mercy restored to us."

After a short pause, Charles Fellowes produced the miniature set in brilliants, and gave an account of how it came into his possession.

Yes," said the baronet, "that miniature is mine, and no doubt was stolen from me, and has now happily come back to its proper owner, and greatly strengthens the evidence that we have recovered our very child, whose loss we have so long and sorely mourned."

When all the guests had expressed their heartfelt congratulations, a footman announced to Sir Edward that a person, by name Mrs. Bosworth, desired a few words with him.

Mrs. Bosworth!" he exclaimed; "is it possible? -May she be shown up here? This is just the missing link which will make the chain of proof complete, without a break."

By the squire's permission Mrs. Bosworth was speedily introduced. She was a comely-looking woman of some sixty years of age, and she blushed deeply as she courtesied to the assembled com

pany.

"Come, Mrs. Bosworth, be seated," said Sir

Edward; "you are just the person we want, to clear

up all that still remains dark in this wonderful history of our recovered child."

'Well, Sir Edward and my lady," said the newcomer, "I am most truly thankful that you have come by your own at last; and may the Lord forgive me for my wrong-doing in the matter."

"Tell us, then," said the baronet, "how it all happened; and I am sure you will have our hearty forgiveness, for things have been very mercifully ordered for us, after all."

"You must know, then, Sir Edward," began Mrs. Bosworth, "that I have come up here to-night for the express purpose of making all things plain. I happened to be near the station when you arrived. I knew your face and her ladyship's in a moment, and felt sure that you would not be here long without inquiries being made about Sarah Jones, as she has been called all these years. I had no wish to conceal or keep back the truth any longer; and so, having seen your faces, I thought it would be better to come of my own free will and tell you all, than wait till a regular fuss was made by the police or others."

"You have done quite right, Mrs. Bosworth," said Lady Manton, "and I thank you for it. Pray, then, go on with your story."