Grace as in a sense our Sarah.

She knows the

place she has had in our hearts;-she knows that she has it still, and always will have it.”

"My noble friend," cried the baronet, grasping the other's hand warmly, "do you think that we could for a moment wish it to be otherwise? Indeed, we should think it strange and unnatural in our daughter were she ever to grow cold towards those who have done the part of truly godly parents so lovingly to her. And what should we think of ourselves if we ever put any barrier in the way of your regarding our precious child as still in a sense your own? And I can assure you, in my own name, and in the name of my dear wife also, that you will always have a hearty welcome whenever you may give us the pleasure of a visit; and that you may call our Grace by the name so long dear and familiar to yourselves without the slightest possible offence to us. And remember, my excellent friend, that we shall expect you both at the wedding, which, if the Lord so wills it, is to come off in due time; for, indeed, I am sure that neither Grace nor Charles Fellowes would be satisfied without your both being present at it."

"Thank you most heartily," replied John Totts. "Yes, if we are spared in health we must both be there. And how thankful we are that she has given

her heart to one who has already chosen the Lord Jesus Christ for his Master and Guide! Such a marriage must have a blessing."

"We are

"Most true," said Lady Manton. thoroughly satisfied of that, and most thankful for it; for we have known Mr. Charles Fellowes in days gone by as a true servant of Christ, and have cause to bless the Lord that he was made the means of doing us both good in lending us a helping hand on the narrow way. And now, my dearest child, we must return to the Hall." So they separated in bodily presence, but not in heart.

CHAPTER XX.

SQUIRE MILVERT'S GOLDEN WEDDING DAY.

ND now the squire's golden wedding day was come. A glorious day it was-warm, bright, and genial. The park and Hall grounds looked their very best; for summer had smiled them into beauty, while art had done its part in the massing of gorgeous beds of flowers and variegated leaves. Right in front of the Hall, and well seen from a beautiful terrace which extended along the entire length of that front, were two narrow beds, shaped to look like staves. The ground-work of each staff was formed of a bedding-plant of a mingled tint of silver and pinkish blue; while around each staff was twined a scarlet broad ribbon, composed of dwarf geraniums, and terminated in a well-defined fork. The effect of this dazzling mass of colour in its windings on the right hand and on the left was most striking, and called forth the admiration of all who beheld it.

The squire and his friends having partaken of an early dinner, were all assembled at tea-time on the terrace, beneath which, at a short distance beyond the flower-beds just described, was an enormous tent, in which had been set up tables for a public tea, to which all the parishioners of Stanford and all the tenants of Mr. Milvert's estate and their families had been invited. John Totts and his wife, Robert Mason, Mrs. Grummerly and her nephew James, had had a special call to the entertainment. No one who could manage to be present was missing, and a happy time they had of it.

Sir

When the tea was over, and the young people had enjoyed many a hearty game on the grass, a great gong sounded a summons, and all the company gathered before the terrace, on which the squire stood waiting to address them. At his right was Mrs. Milvert, holding her daughter Clara's hand. Edward Manton and his lady, with Grace between them, also stood near the squire. The two Mr. Fellowes and John and Mrs. Totts also formed part of the group on the terrace. Then Mr. Milvert, stepping forward, and placing one hand on the stone balustrade, spoke as follows, in a clear voice which could be heard by every one of the audi

ence :

"We-that is, Mrs. Milvert and myself-are

truly glad to see and welcome you all here, dear friends, on this our golden wedding day.

You may,

some few of you, hardly know exactly what is meant by a golden wedding day. It means the day fifty years since the wedding took place. Ah! dear

friends and neighbours, when two people have been happy in their married life, as I bless God that we have been, surely it is a matter for the deepest thankfulness to the almighty Giver of every blessing when he has permitted man and wife to spend together fifty years—a whole half of a century. It is very wonderful, but so it has been in our case. Fifty years ago to-day we were married, and what a happy fifty years these have been to us! and I trust that they have not been unprofitable and unblessed years to our tenants and neighbours, among whom they have been spent. Now, you all know how anxious I have been to encourage merit in the young people of this neighbourhood; and we have some evidences here at this very moment that such encouragement on my part has not been

without its happy fruits. I have only to point to our good young friends here, Robert Mason and James Grummerly. Robert Mason, as you know, has risen from a very humble position to a place of high Christian usefulness and honour, through God's blessing on his patience, diligence, perseverance, and